Invisible resistance: Mid-air stiffness perception via control-display manipulation

Hand gesture recognition in virtual reality (VR) enables users to interact with digital environments without controllers, allowing for intuitive mid-air object manipulation. However, the absence of tangible feedback presents a challenge in conveying haptic sensations. One of the solutions to address this limitation is leveraging pseudo-haptic techniques that rely on visual feedback to simulate touch perception. For example, prior studies have induced a sense of stiffness in virtual objects using deformation cues, but none have explored the role of Control-Display (C/D) gain manipulation in enhancing stiffness perception. This study investigates whether C/D gain manipulations can influence perceived stiffness in mid-air interactions. Specifically, we examine (1) the range of C/D gains that remain imperceptible to users, (2) whether users associate C/D gain changes with stiffness variations, and (3) whether multiple distinguishable levels of perceived stiffness can be achieved through C/D gain manipulation. We provide a first model of how C/D gains correspond to physical stiffness perceived during object stretching. These results have implications for designing more immersive and responsive virtual environments, particularly in applications requiring precise stiffness differentiation, such as surgical simulations and educational games.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Computer Science

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Shah, Arnav Sejal

Contributors dc:contributor

• Soltanaghai, Elahe

• Virtual Reality
• Pseudo-Haptics
• Stiffness Perception
• Control-Display Gain
• Hand Gesture Recognition

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Arnav Shah

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129237

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F129237