Host Institution - Bangkok University, Thailand

Abstract

From early stages of infancy, human education includes learning about objects with a hands-on approach. In order to understand a real world object, we may simply hold it in our hands to get a sense of its size, weight, shape and texture. Haptic (tactile) interfaces allow us to touch and interact with virtual objects simulated on a computer as if they were real. The advent of haptic technology has made tactile hardware interfaces widely affordable and available. 3D display technology has reached mass consumption and the need for 3D content on the Web is imminent. Multimodal environments where visual and haptic stimuli are merged, convey information efficiently since the user experiences the environment through multiple sensory channels. This project introduced the faculty members, graduate/undergraduate students and researchers at Bangkok University to the area of advanced Human Computer Interaction (HCI) using Web3D and Haptics, through a series of lectures delivered by Dr. Felix Hamza-Lup as well as through personal interactions with the faculty and students. The main objectives of this Fulbright project are:

• Enhancing knowledge in 3D Web programming (X3D) & haptics, theoretical paradigms and applications
• Professional interaction among the specialist and faculty members at Bangkok University
• Enhancing the ongoing research in multimedia and computer graphics
• Motivating the undergraduate/graduate students at the School of Science & Technology through state-of-art research
• Opening opportunities for collaborative research projects among the host and US institutions

COURSE: Web-based 3D Visual and Haptic User Interfaces

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