Tactile interface for stimulation of fingertip via lateral traction

Tactile displays are gaining recognition as new human-machine interfaces. This paper present a low-weight, single-axis tactile interface designed to stimulate the fingertip through lateral traction. It operates with two ultrasonic linear motors able to move a small plate in contact with the user’s fingertip. This miniature interface is capable of a wide range of stimulation signals due to its high force output (0.6 N), its long throw (3 mm) and its high speed (13 mm/s). This interface is driven under closed loop control employing a Hall-effect sensor for position measurement. A model and experimental results will be presented.