A spin-off of CEA (French Nuclear Research Agency), HAPTION benefits from results and know-how developed in more than 30 years of research. HAPTION designs, manufactures and sells haptic devices with professional quality, suited to the needs of its customers, both industrial and academic.

A haptic interface is a computer device, which enables its user to interact with a software application or with a virtual object through the sense of touch. It consists in an articulated mechanical structure with motors and position sensors, as well as embedded electronics. The user holds the end-point of the structure in his hand, and can move it around, both in the real and in the virtual world on the computer screen. Whenever his virtual hand makes contact with a digital object, a force value is sent to the motors, which simulate a real contact.

Our products provide force-feedback on all 6 degrees-of-freedom (translations and rotations). Without 6-dof, it is impossible to simulate the interaction between 3D objects.

Haptics is a new productivity tool for the industry, very much like CAD(1) and PLM(2). Using force-feedback, it is possible to simulate on the digital mock-up all operations needed for the new product, as early as the design stage, and without physical prototypes. Assembly/disassembly tasks, maintenance, and all-day use can be tested and rehearsed on a virtual prototype:

ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS

FUNCTIONAL TESTS

ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY

WORKPLACE SIMULATION

OPERATOR TRAINING

• (1)    Computer Aided Design
• (2)    Product Lifecycle Management