Haptic Interface with Twin-Driven MR Fluid Actuator for Teleoperation Endoscopic Surgery System

Magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) are composite materials made of ferromagnetic particles, medium oils, and several types of additives. We have developed an actuation system for the fine haptic control of leader-follower robots. In this study, we developed a haptic interface with two link-type twin-driven MR fluid actuators and two MR fluid brakes for a teleoperation endoscopic surgery system and conducted evaluation tests for a remote operational task with a leader-follower robot system. For evaluations, we adopted the NASA-TLX questionnaire as a subjective assessment method. According to the experimental results, the total success rates were 0.462, 0.333, and 0.591, for the first haptic, middle no-haptic, and second haptic phases, respectively. The force information of the haptic forceps helped users to perceive grasping sensation on their fingers. Statistical analyses on the answers to the questionnaire indicate no significant differences. However, a decreasing tendency in the mental stress in the complicated manipulation tasks for fragile objects is observed.

Automated summary

An actuation system for fine haptic control of leader-follower robots was developed, using a haptic interface with MR fluid actuators and brakes. Evaluation tests showed that force information from haptic forceps helped users perceive grasping sensation, with a decreasing tendency in mental stress for delicate manipulation tasks observed. Statistical analyses indicated no significant differences in questionnaire answers.