Alternative "vision": a haptic and auditory assistive device.

We have used two cameras and a SensAble Technologies "Phantom" force-feedback haptic display to haptically render a three-dimensional surface that represents key aspects of a visual scene. In addition to rendering depth and contour information with the Phantom, we capture optic flow and present this to the user using sound cues. We propose that with further development, this system could be used as an assistive device that would allow visually impaired individuals to explore the "visual" world.