A Multi-Session Evaluation of a Haptic Device in Normal and Critical Conditions: a Mars Analog Mission

Author
Keywords
Abstract
While visual interaction is typically evaluated as an instantaneous, one-shot activity that considers only a snapshot of factors, haptic interaction is more challenging to evaluate as it involves a continuous touch process evolving over time. To better understand how to evaluate haptic interaction, this paper performs a multisession evaluation of a haptic device to be used by astronauts in future lunar and Mars missions, based on eight factors. Three groups of two members (𝑛 = 6 ) applied, either as operator or assistant, a newly developed external fixator (EZExFix) to fix a fracture of the tibial shaft. Astronauts had different levels of expertise, i.e., in anatomy, mechanical engineering, and without, and participated in eight timed runs. Among these eight matches, four sessions were conducted with different time frames and compared to a stress test, a reproduction of the experiment in very stressful conditions, and a session simulating critical conditions in an extra-vehicular activity.
Year of Publication
2025
Journal
International Journal of Interactive Multimedia and Artificial Intelligence
Volume
9
Start Page
164
Issue
Regular issue
Number
3
Number of Pages
164-174
Date Published
06/2025
ISSN Number
1989-1660
URL
DOI
Attachment
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to deeply thank the Mars Society, Dr. Shannon Rupert and the Mission Support staff to welcome the crew in the MDRS (Utah desert) for the opportunity to execute this research simulation in a Mars analogue environment. We also want to thank Dr. Kouamé Jean-Eric Kouassi for his PhD thesis about the creation of the new EZExFix, Pr. Benoît Lengelé and Pr. Catherine Behets for their day-to-day support in the realization of our multiple projects, and Lies Fievé and Christine de Ville de Goyet for their help to create artificial broken legs. This work was supported by a F.S.R. Fund («Fonds Spéciaux de Recherche», Belgium, Ref. ADi/16568.2021) and a «Student Angel Fund» (Ref. 304907648 val-31.05.), both granted by M.A.R.S. UCLouvain crew 2022, as well as a F.N.R.S. Aspirant Fund («Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique», Belgium, Ref. ID 40004991) and a second F.S.R. Fund (Ref. ADi/IC/13936.2020), both granted by Dr. Julie Manon.