Low-cost control for haptic devices

Haptic interfaces are robotic devices that let the user touch virtual reality scenarios. Comparing with classic industrial robotics, in which robots are confined in workcells doing repetitive tasks, we can say that the haptic interfaces have a handle as end-effector to let the user grasp it. That is why, haptic interfaces are also considered as human-computer interface, that not only let a cursor in the computer move in a virtual 3D space, but also if this cursor 'collides' to a virtual object, the user will perceive this interaction as if they were interacting to real objects. Typical applications of haptic robotics are in video games, CAD design tools and simulators (ex. driving, machine assembly, surgery planning, etc) where the aim is to achieve a higher immersion level. Thus the aim of this paper is to present the control board [OS v.2.0, providing a low cost solution for the control of haptic systems. The [OS was implemented using FPGA technology (Field Programmable Gate Array).