Development of ER actuators and their applications to force display systems

ER fluids are functional fluids which have attracted attention in recent years. We have developed a new type of actuator using ER fluid. This ER actuator responds quickly, and has large torque/inertia ratio. ER actuators are thus suited to be the actuators used in force feedback systems. We have developed a force feedback system using ER actuators, and have enacted some basic experiments for force display. The ER actuators can be utilized in teleoperation systems and various other force feedback systems as well as in virtual reality systems.