Tactile displays: Overview and recent advances

Abstract

Tactation is the sensation perceived by the sense of touch, and is based on the skin's receptors. Touch is a common medium used by the general population and the sensory impaired. Tactile substitution can be used by the blind or deaf in order to: (a) enhance access to computer graphical user interfaces and (b) enhance mobility in controlled environments.The skin nerves can be stimulated through six types of receptors by mechanical, electrical, or thermal stimuli. Modalities, such as vibration and pressure, can stimulate these receptors. Advances in tactile communication using implementations of the actuating devices have been developed via several new technologies. These technologies include static or vibrating pins, focused ultrasound, electrical stimulation, surface acoustic waves, and other. This paper is a review of the state-of-the-art in the physiological and technological principles, considerations and characteristics, as well as latest implementations of microactuator-based tactile graphic displays. We also review fabrication technologies, in order to demonstrate the potential and limitations in tactile applications.

INTERFACES HÁPTICAS: SISTEMAS CINESTÉSICOS Vs. SISTEMAS TÁCTILES

“…Las interfaces táctiles se dedican a reproducir el contacto con la piel por medio de acciones de presión, de vibración (Chouvardas et al, 2008) y de electro-estimulación (Kajimoto et al, 2004). Con estas se logran estimular los mecano-receptores cutáneos creando sensaciones de textura, contorno y rigidez (Bilgincan et al, 2010;Ferre et al, 2008).…”

“…Los mecanorreceptores que comúnmente se estimulan en las pantallas táctiles y logran simular contacto en la piel son los de vibración y presión, dado que con la presión se activan los discos de Merkel y con una vibración de baja o alta frecuencia se activan los corpúsculos de Meissner y de Pacini, respectivamente (Chouvardas et al, 2008). En varios estudios se ha podido demostrar que la realimentación táctil en la yema de los dedos tiene el potencial de aumentar el grado de inmersión en el usuario en ambientes virtuales o remotos (telepresencia y teleoperación) (García-Hernández et al, 2014).…”

A narrative review on haptic devices: relating the physiology and psychophysical properties of the hand to devices for rehabilitation in central nervous system disorders

“…These devices primarily operate by applying pressure, vibration, electrical fields or changes in thermal flow. As a result, tactile displays have been described as being capable of closely replicating the tactile parameters of an object including temperature, texture, shape and roughness [63]. Used alongside computerdisplayed virtual reality environments, tactile haptic systems can provide experience of completing everyday interactions with the environment [49].…”

Design and qualitative evaluation of tactile devices for stroke rehabilitation

“…The field of tactile devices has received significant research interest over the past few decades [8]. Devices proposed in the literature include those using piezoelectrics [9], electrocutaneous stimulation [10], electrorheological fluids [11] and electroactive polymers [12].…”