We have proposed a new string-based haptic interface device in this paper. It is a kind of device that allows a user to use both hands and multi-fingers to direct manipulate the virtual objects in the computer simulated virtual environment. One of the advantages of the device is to allow the user to use both hands to perform the cooperative works of hands, such as holding a large object that cannot be grasped or held by single hand. In addition, the haptic feedback sensation provided by the device at the fingertips makes possible for the user to perform dexterous manipulation, such as manipulating small size of objects. We have discussed about the design of the proposed device and have elaborated the methods of fingertip positions measurement and force feedback generation. The experiments had been carried out to verify the capabilities of the proposed device.

For constructing the next generation education system, we have developed a new human-scale virtual reality interface device called Big-SPIDAR. This device can provide not only the visual and auditory information but also haptic/kinaesthetic display. And it has the capability for the operator or participant to move around inside it. In this paper, we introduce the construction of this interface device and show the evaluation experiments and application systems realized by proposed device.