The Navy requires a virtual haptic instrument panel (VHIP) device that can faithfully replicate the look and feel of aircraft instrument panels for simulation and training. For this application, there are two technology areas that must be addressed. The first is the automated extraction of 3D panel model and texture data. This can be accomplished using image-based modeling or by using other, active methods like triangulation-based laser range scanning The second technology area is the device or device-set that presents the panel haptically to the user. Cybernet is conducting a multi-tier exploratory research process that evaluates a number of VHIP approaches.