Edge shape sensation presented in a noncontact manner using airborne ultrasound

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a noncontact method using airborne ultrasound to reproduce sharp-edged tactile sensations, enabling perception of 3D shapes like pyramids with higher spatial resolution than traditional vibrotactile methods.

Contribution

It introduces a high-resolution airborne ultrasound technique for tactile edge sensation, improving the perception of fine, sharp edges in a contactless manner.

Findings

Participants could perceive various edge curvatures clearly.

The ultrasound-based sensation outperformed conventional vibrotactile methods.

The method enables realistic 3D shape perception without contact.

Abstract

To perceive 3D shapes such as pyramids, the perception of planes and edges as tactile sensations is an essential component. This is difficult to perceive with the conventional vibrotactile sensation used in ultrasound haptics because of its low spatial resolution. Recently, it has become possible to produce a high-resolution pressure sensation using airborne ultrasound. By using this pressure sensation, it is now possible to reproduce a linear, sharp-edged sensation in the area of a fingerpad. In this study, it is demonstrated that this pressure sensation can be used to reproduce the feeling of fine, sharp edges, and its effectiveness is confirmed by comparing it with conventional vibrotactile sensation. In the demonstration, participants can experience the contact sensation of several types of edges with different curvatures.