Study of Human Tactile Sensing Characteristics Using Tactile Display System

Abstract

This paper describes three kinds of experiments and analysis of their results related to human tactile sensitivity using an integrated tactile display system. The device can provide vibration, normal pressure and lateral slip/stretch which are important physical quantities to sense texture. We have tried to find out the efficient method of stimulating, limitation of surface discrimination by kinesthetic farce feedback and the effectiveness of the combination of kinesthetic force and tactile feedback. Seven kinds of different stimulating methods were carried out and they are single or combination of the kinesthetic force, normal static pressure, vibration, active/passive shear and moving wave. Both prototype specimen and stimulus using tactile display were provided to all examinees and they were allowed to answer the most similar sample. The experimental results show that static pressure is proper stimulus for the display of micro shape of the surface and vibrating stimulus is more effective for the display of fine surface. And the sensitivities of active touch and passive touch are compared. Since kinesthetic force feedback is appropriate to display shape and stiffness of an object, but roughness display has a limitation of resolution, the concurrent providing methods of kinesthetic and tactile feedback are applied to simulate physical properties during touching an object.