Colorful tactile stimuli. Association between colors and tactile-display stimuli on russell’s psychological plane

Abstract

Supplementing the presentation of colors with tactile displays has yet to be developed. This study used Russell’s affective plane to investigate the association between the rainbow colors and vibrotactile and variable-friction stimuli presented as tactile displays. A user study indicated that high-frequency and rhythmical tactile stimuli that were perceived as arousing were suitable for presenting the warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow. In contrast, low-frequency and slow tactile stimuli that were perceived as less arousing were suitable for the cold colors. Furthermore, unpleasant tactile stimuli that involved fine but strong frictional texture could be linked with purple and with unpleasant psychological images. Our findings indicate that tactile displays can be used to assist the user’s perception of hue.