​Congratulations to Gabriella Isaac (MA Digital Culture), who has been accepted to present a poster on her practice and research into haptic interfaces at NIME 2017, Aalborg University, Copenhagen (24% acceptance rate). The project, which involves a force-feedback controller mapped to dynamic virtual terrains, was developed as part of Lauren Hayes' Enacting Performance Environments class, and was also mentored by Todd Ingalls. ​
Title
Cross-Modal Terrains: Navigating Sonic Space through Haptic Feedback
Abstract
This paper explores the idea of using virtual textural terrains as a means of generating haptic profiles for force-feedback controllers. This approach breaks from the paradigm established within audio-haptic research over the last few decades where physical models within virtual environments are designed to transduce gesture into sonic output. We outline a method for generating multimodal terrains using basis functions, which are rendered into monochromatic visual representations for inspection. This visual terrain is traversed using a haptic controller, the NovInt Falcon, which in turn receives force information based on the grayscale value of its location in this virtual space. As the image is traversed by a performer, the levels of resistance vary, and the image is realized as a physical terrain. We discuss the potential of this approach to afford engaging musical experiences for both the performer and the audience as iterated through numerous performances.