Marcus Friedel

University of Calgary, Intertek (Canada)

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Marcus Friedel is a pioneering researcher in the field of human-computer interaction, specializing in haptic feedback systems for virtual reality (VR). His work focuses on expanding the scale and accessibility of mid-air and passive haptic interactions, addressing critical limitations in current VR technology. Friedel’s major contributions include the development of *UltraBots* (2022, 12 citations), a system that combines robotically actuated ultrasound transducers to deliver large-area mid-air haptics, overcoming the small interaction zones typical of conventional ultrasound arrays. This innovation enables precise, shape-rendering feedback across expansive VR environments. More recently, in *PantographHaptics* (2025, 1 citation), he introduced a novel technique using pantograph mechanisms to provide large-surface passive haptic interactions, offering a portable and energy-efficient alternative to room-scale proxies and wearable robotic arms. Friedel’s work is notable for its practical engineering solutions to scalability and portability, pushing the boundaries of how users physically experience virtual worlds. His research holds significant promise for immersive training, design, and entertainment applications, marking him as a rising innovator in haptics and VR interaction design.