Tactor localization at the wrist

Abstract

The present study examined our ability to identify the location of a single vibration delivered to the dorsal and/or volar side of the forearm near the wrist. Three participants took part in three absolute identification experiments. In Exps. I and II, a 3-by-3 tactor array was placed on the dorsal and volar side of the wrist, respectively. In Exp. III, two 3-by-3 tactor arrays were placed on both sides of the wrist. Prior to each experiment, the intensities of the tactors were adjusted to be equally loud. Each participant completed a total of 405, 405 and 810 trials for Exps. I, II and III, respectively. The results indicate that on average, only 2 tactor locations can be correctly identified on either the dorsal or the volar side of the wrist, and 4 locations on both sides. The implications of our results for the design of mobile devices are discussed. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.