Characterizing the space by thermal feedback through a wearable device

Abstract

Thermal sensation is a kind of a haptic sensation and is very familiar feeling. However it is difficult to realize a thermal display which gives realistic thermal feedback because thermal characteristic has a larger ambiguity and is late-response. Alternatively, thermal feedback could be used as a new channel for the transmission of imaginary characteristics. We are aiming to add characteristics to the existing space by providing people with location-dependent thermal information. By manipulating thermal information presented to people, we can change implicit partitioning of the space without physically reconstructing it. "Thermotaxis" is a system that gives sensations of cool and warm to users by controlling thermoelectric devices wirelessly. In this system, the space is characterized as being cool or warm. Users experience the difference in temperatures while they walk in the space. Preliminary analysis shows that people stay close in the area of a comfortable temperature. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.