Tactile perception and its application to the design of multi-modal cutaneous feedback systems

Applications in tele-presence, virtual reality and virtual environments have highlighted the need for an advanced realistic user interface to remote and virtual entities. Vision and audition have been well developed leaving touch as a key sensory parameter which is presently under-utilised. In this paper a detailed study of the present knowledge of the human sensory nervous system relating to the 'sense of touch and feeling' is undertaken. Using this knowledge of the operation of tactile nerves a multimodal cutaneous tactile feedback glove has been designed and tested. The construction of this system which feeds back data on texturehlip motion, edgedridges and surface contours, contact force and thermal parameters is detailed with the test results and system assessment.