Pressure Stimuli and Spatiotemporal Illusions on the Forearm

To design complex wearable haptic interfaces using pressure, we have to explore how we can use pressure stimuli to their full potential. Haptic illusions, such as apparent motion and apparent location, can be a part of this. If these illusions can be evoked with pressure, haptic patterns can increase in complexity without increasing the number of actuators or combining different types of actuators. We did two psychophysical experiments with pressure stimuli on the forearm using a pneumatic sleeve with multiple, individually controlled McKibben actuators. In Experiment 1, we found that spatial integration of two simultaneously presented stimuli occurred for distances up to 61 mm. In Experiment 2, we found that apparent motion can be elicited with distinct pressure stimuli over a range of temporal parameters. These results clearly show spatio-temporal integration in the somatosensory system for pressure stimuli. We discuss these findings in relation to effects found for vibration and the mechanoreceptors in the glabrous skin.