@article {3642, title = {Relaying the High-Frequency Contents of TactileFeedback to Robotic Prosthesis Users: Design,Filtering, Implementation, and Validation}, journal = {IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters}, volume = {Volume: 4 , Issue: 2 , April 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {01/2019}, author = {S. Fani and K. Di Blasio and M. Bianchi and M. G. Catalano and G. Grioli and A. Bicchi} } @conference {3718, title = {On the role of postural synergies for grasp force generation and upper limb motion control}, booktitle = {International Conference on NeuroRehabilitation}, year = {2018}, url = {https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-01845-0_69}, author = {G. Averta and F. Angelini and A. Bicchi and G. Valenza and M. Bianchi} } @conference {3121, title = {The Rice Haptic Rocker: skin stretch haptic feedback with the Pisa/IIT SoftHand }, booktitle = {IEEE World Haptics Conference}, year = {2017}, note = {

The authors gratefully acknowledge Matteo Rossi for his valuable advice and Mikaela Juzswik for her unique contribution in the physical realization of some of the equipment used in the experiments. This work was partially supported by the European Community funded project WEARHAP (contract 601165), by the European Commission project (Horizon 2020 research program) SOFTPRO (no. 688857), by the ERC Advanced Grant no. 291166 SoftHands and by the NSF grant IIS-1065497.

}, month = {06/2017}, publisher = {IEEE}, organization = {IEEE}, address = {F{\"u}rstenfeldbruck (Munich), Germany, June 6-9, 2017}, abstract = {

Myoelectric prostheses have seen increased application in clinical practice and research, due to their potential for good functionality and versatility. Yet, myoelectric prostheses still suffer from a lack of intuitive control and haptic feedback, which can frustrate users and lead to abandonment. To address this problem, we propose to convey proprioceptive information for a prosthetic hand with skin stretch using the Rice Haptic Rocker. This device was integrated with the myo-controlled version of Pisa/IIT SoftHand and a size discrimination test with 18 able bodied subjects was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Results show that the Rice Haptic Rocker can be successfully used to convey proprioceptive information. A Likert survey was also presented to the experiment participants, who evaluated the integrated setup as easy to use and effective in conveying proprioception.

}, keywords = {Haptics}, author = {E. Battaglia and J. P. Clark and M. Bianchi and M. G. Catalano and A. Bicchi and M. K. O{\textquoteright}Malley} } @article {3105, title = {On the Role of Affective Properties in Hedonic and Discriminant Haptic Systems}, journal = {International Journal of Social Robotics}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {01/2017}, pages = {87{\textendash}95}, abstract = {

Common haptic devices are designed to effectively provide kinaesthetic and/or cutaneous discriminative inputs to the users by modulating some physical parameters. However, in addition to this behavior, haptic stimuli were proven to convey also affective inputs to the brain. Nevertheless, such affective properties of touch are often disregarded in the design (and consequent validation) of haptic displays. In this paper we present some preliminary experimental evidences about how emotional feelings, intrinsically present while interacting with tactile displays, can be assessed. We propose a methodology based on a bidimensional model of elicited emotions evaluated by means of simple psychometric tests and statistical inference. Specifically, affective dimensions are expressed in terms of arousal and valence, which are quantified through two simple one-question psychometric tests, whereas statistical inference is based on rank-based non-parametric tests. In this work we consider two types of haptic systems: (i) a softness display, FYD-2, which was designed to convey purely discriminative softness haptic stimuli and (ii) a system designed to convey affective caress-like stimuli (by regulating the velocity and the strength of the {\textquotedblleft}caress{\textquotedblright}) on the user forearm. Gender differences were also considered. In both devices, the affective component clearly depends on the stimuli and it is gender-related. Finally, we discuss how such outcomes might be profitably used to guide the design and the usage of haptic devices, in order to take into account also the emotional component, thus improving system performance.

}, keywords = {Haptics}, issn = {1875-4791}, doi = {10.1007/s12369-016-0371-x}, url = {http://rdcu.be/ugoW}, author = {M. Bianchi and G. Valenza and A Lanata and A. Greco and M. Nardelli and A. Bicchi and E. P. Scilingo} } @mastersthesis {1429, title = {On the Role of Haptic Synergies in Modelling the Sense of Touch and in Designing Artificial Haptic Systems}, year = {2012}, keywords = {Haptics, Robotics}, author = {M. Bianchi} } @article {SBGBB10, title = {Rendering Softness: Integration of kinaesthetic and cutaneous information in a haptic device}, journal = {Transactions on Haptics}, volume = {3}, number = {2}, year = {2010}, note = {

Best Student Paper and Best Paper Award Finalist

}, pages = {109 - 118}, keywords = {Haptics, Robotics}, author = {E. P. Scilingo and M. Bianchi and G. Grioli and A. Bicchi} } @conference {BSSB, title = {Rendering softness: a new fabric yielding display}, booktitle = {Workshop for young researchers on human - friendly robotics - Symposium}, year = {2009}, month = {December 3}, address = {Sestri levante (Ge), Italy}, keywords = {Haptics, Robotics}, author = {M. Bianchi and A. Serio and E. P. Scilingo and A. Bicchi} }