Virtual Texture

A virtual texture is a computer-generated tactile surface property rendered through a haptic device, simulating the feel of roughness, smoothness, or other surface characteristics without a physical material being present. Virtual textures are created by varying the resistance, vibration, or force feedback patterns that a haptic device applies to the user's hand or probe as it moves across a virtual surface. Research has shown that virtual textures are not perceived identically to their real-world counterparts — users may perceive roughness differently, and blind and sighted users may have distinct perceptual responses to the same virtual texture.