Touch pad interface to VR-based, haptic enabled surgical simulator (Theis proj 4)

In a 3D virtual environment, combining the visual virtual world with a graphical user interface in the same window is not a very good idea. Therefor, in the open source oral surgery simulator developed here we have a separate monitor as a control screen for starting the simulation, setting parameters etc. The next step is to have a dedicated touch pad computer connected to directly control the simulator, enabling a more uniform feeling of a product with a embedded control screen. We have bought and integrated an open hardware/source linux powered device for this but iPad or Android based pad is also possible. While being open-source based the simulator is a physical product with designed enclosure, stereo vision and haptic feedback device, marketed by a spin-off company and currently subject of a scientific validation study conducted by Karolinska Institutet.