Thermoelectric tactile display based on the thermal grill illusion

Abstract

Among the challenges of haptic displays is the objective of creating a tactile language. Tactile language is used as a substitute to visual and auditory languages when either of the modalities is overloaded or impaired. Haptic displays have been implemented using a variety of technologies to stimulate different tactile sensations such as pressure, vibration and temperature. In this work, we present a novel implementation of a thermal sensation known as the Thermal Grill Illusion as the basis of a tactile language. A designated system, the Thermoelectric Tactile Display, was developed to generate Thermal Grill Illusion based stimuli. The usability of this type of display is being evaluated. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.