Article published François Louveau (Haption)
“CEA provides genuine R&D firepower”
Specialty: Force feedback interfaces for engineering OFFICES employing virtual reality technology.
How can an automotive assembly line operator in charge of assembling door components easily install an electric window motor? A few years ago, a real-size mockup of the door would be built and used to test the process. Today, engineering departments make extensive use of virtual reality to conduct such tests. Force feedback interfaces, Haption’s specialty, are particularly useful for this purpose. “A force feedback interface is a peripheral that allows a user to interact with a virtual object by touch. They are also referred to as haptic interfaces”, explains François Louveau, CEO of Haption. The peripheral is composed of an articulated structure equipped with sensors and motors connected to an embedded electronic circuit. When manipulated by the operator, it simultaneously produces a movement in a 3D computer-generated virtual space When the ‘virtual hand’ encounters a computer-generated object, an electric current is sent to the motors, which simulate a real contact. The potential industrial applications of this process mainly concern automotive and aeronautic manufacturers, which use 3D digital models to review projects and simulate assembly, disassembly and maintenance operations. The process offers multiple advantages for these manufacturers: reduction of the number of real prototype tests, reduction of design time and error propagation, etc. Other potential applications can also be considered, particularly in the medical sector. Haption works in constant partnership with CEA. François Louveau was a project manager at CEA LIST for approximately 10 years. In 2001, he decided to exploit a CEA license for force feedback arms. “We benefited from the results of the Perf-RV virtual reality performance project launched by the Ministries of Research and Industry and devoted to the engineering design offices of the future. This program included the participation of research laboratories and industrial companies. This allowed us to clearly identify industry’s needs and constraints.” The startup company was initially incubated at CEA LIST. In 2005, it increased its capital and established itself in the Laval-Mayenne Technopole. Haption currently offers a force feedback range called Virtuose and several virtual reality software packages. It is established in Europe, Asia and the USA. Haption continues its dynamic partnership with CEA by participating in projects such as Rivage (funded by Renault, PSA and Dassault Aviation), which aims to integrate haptic and virtual reality tools into CAD software packages. A new generation of robots is also currently being developed. Designed to assist humans with tedious tasks, they should provide significant benefits in everyday life or work situations.
