A Novel Wearable and Wireless Device to Investigate Perception in Interactive Scenarios

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to introduce a novel wearable device suitable to be used to investigate perception in interactive tasks, on individuals with and without sensory disabilities. The system is composed by small units embedded with sensors and actuators that allows emitting different kind of stimuli (light, haptic, sound) and to record the user response, thanks to a capacitive sensor. We validated the system by implementing an interception task in three different sensory modalities: visual, tactile and auditory. Six subjects with normal sight were asked to tap either a static or a moving stimulus generated by 6 units placed on their forearm. Results suggest that the system can effectively provide new insights in characterizing how perception principles vary when perceptual judgement occurs through different senses. This confirms the device potential in contributing to the design of rehabilitation protocols rooted on neuroscientific findings, for people with sensory impairments.

A novel multisensory device for the assessment and rehabilitation of perceptual and attentional competencies

“…To assess the system, as in [16], a group of sighted adults had to perform a spatial attention task derived from Lunn et al [3]. Thanks to its sensors and actuators, the TechPAD can deliver visual, auditory, and vibrotactile stimuli, and directly record subject's responses.…”

Effects of Increasing Stimulated Area in Spatiotemporally Congruent Unisensory and Multisensory Conditions

“…IIT_UVIP_COMP_2019 N. 02/2020, 4 July 2020), and participants gave written consent to the experimental protocol, following the Declaration of Helsinki. The sample size was calculated with the free software G * Power 3.1 (accessed on 4 July 2020, from ), based on the following parameters: effect size d z : 1.18 (Cohen’s d = 1.09; see Schiatti et al, 2020 [ 48 ]); α err. prob.…”

Haptic Technology: A Valuable Paradigm for Reinforcing Learning Processes in Early Childhood Special Education

“…We can enumerate some recent innovative proposals of artificial skin developments: (a) The solution proposed by Meta Reality Labs [17], which is exploring new configurations of haptic gloves to provide the sense of touch, including sensations related to texture, weight and stiffness; (b) An electronic skin that can restore the sense of touch through the fingertips of prosthetic hands developed by Tracey Reeves at the Johns Hopkins University [18]; (c) The light based contact detection proposed by Piacenza et al [19], which offers an imaginative alternaive solution to the problem of integrating touch devices into robotic hands; and (d) the novel wearable device presented by Schiatti et al [20], suitable to be used to investigate perception in interactive tasks, on individuals with and without sensory disabilities, among others.…”

“…Most of them are wearable solutions improving the perception process, in different contexts, for people with some kind of disability (Figure 2). A first example is the work of Schaitti et al [20] where they present a suitable wearable device composed of small units embedded with actuators that provoke stimuli (haptic, light, and sound) to the users and sensors to record the users' responses. More advanced solutions can be found, such as the advanced physical suit proposed by Teslasuit [28] that gives haptic feedback and captures movement and biometrics.…”

“…Wearable solutions to improve the perception processes. (a) TechARM: Electrode-units to emit and record different stimuli[20]. (b) Teslasuit: Physical suit to provide haptic feedback and capture motion and biometrics[28].…”