Vibrotactile Wearables: Foundations of Tactile Perception and System Design Space

Abstract: Vibro-tactile stimulation has revealed as a potentially effective means to deliver messages of low information complexity to recipients in dual or multiple task engagements. This presentation will address the vibro-tactile stimuli design space spawned by the type and amout of information suitable to be delivered via the tactile channel considering the physiognomic properties of mechanoreceptors, the proper placement of tactors on the human body, the tactrogram design (frequency, intensity, duration, temporal pattern, modulation), and the estimated level of attention of the reciepient. Prototypical vibrotactile wearables will be presented like our LifeBelt, a silent directional guidance technology to improve evacuation efficiency in emergency situations, a wrist worn vibrotactile display for alerting, and a variety of safety and attention related solutions in the automotive domain.

-> Download presentation