GuestXR and TOUCHLESS hold a workshop on the role and opportunity of AI in haptics

The GuestXR and TOUCHLESS projects, two of the initiatives making up the SECTG Cluster, co-organised a workshop on the transformative impact of AI in haptic technology within the framework of the Eurohaptics 2024 conference, held between June 30th-July 3rd in Lille (France).
The workshop focused on the intersection of AI and Machine Learning with haptics technology, exploring topics such as the use of AI to create realistic haptic experiences in VR, the potential of generative AI to create new forms of haptic communication, or the need for standardisation in AI-powered haptics.
From the GuestXR side, project partners Claudio Pacchierotti and Justine Saint-Aubert, from the French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation (Inria), were involved in the organisation of the workshop.
The event started with a talk on tactile sensing, held by Heather Culbertson from the University of Southern California. Ercan Altinsoy, from the Dresden University of Technology, gave insights on texture synthesis, while, Amir Amedi from Reichman University introduced the research done in the GuestXR project on the use of AI for multimodal touch.
The second part of the workshop included presentations on the ethics of artificial touch and multisensory design, delivered by Patrick Haggard and Marianna Obrist from the University College London. Moreover, a talk on the Haptic Helix innovation platform was delivered by Iria Loucaidou from Ultraleap.
To wrap up the event, a panel discussion chaired by Orestis Georgiou from Ultraleap took place.

The Eurohaptics 2024 conference gathered the world’s leading minds in haptics to explore the latest in tactile and haptic technologies. The event showcased cutting-edge research, discussions and innovative demonstrations that prove the diverse applications of haptics.