Tactile Cueing in Haptic Visualization

Haptic visualization is a key aid in presenting real or simulated data to individuals who are blind in a form that is suitable for comprehension. Conventional techniques in haptic visualization convert complex multidimensional data into a visual form such as points, lines, graphs etc. and subsequently add haptic features such as friction and texture to the rendered form. This allows individuals to feel the visual plots. However, this approach is limited to small datasets and restricted visualizations. Human tactile perception is based on numerous tactile sensors perceiving information in parallel. Current haptic visualization schemes have only limited feedback units that cannot present information in a realistic manner. Tactile cues, in the form of vibrotactile sensations, can aid in the haptic perception by providing supporting cues giving users the ability to utilize haptic exploratory procedures as well as parallel tactile cues for perception of haptic information. In this paper, we present strategies of presenting information through tactile cues and discuss verification and validation methodologies for the cueing based systems.