# Wearable Fabric Electrotactile System with Stimulation–Inhibition Electrode Units

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a wearable fabric-based electrotactile system that improves tactile feedback accuracy in virtual reality by reducing current diffusion and crosstalk.

## Contribution

A novel stimulation–inhibition electrode unit design and an evaluation system for tactile interaction in VR are introduced.

## Key findings

- The electrode structure reduces current diffusion and improves tactile feedback clarity.
- The system achieved improved tactile recognition accuracy and faster reaction times in 30 participants.
- Immersive VR scenarios demonstrated the system's potential for precise and personalized tactile feedback.

## Abstract

Tactile feedback is crucial for enhancing the virtual-reality (VR) interaction experience. However, current electrotactile devices suffer from issues such as current diffusion and electrode crosstalk, limiting spatial accuracy. To address this challenge, we designed a fabric-based ultrathin flexible microelectrode array with novel stimulation–inhibition electrode units that reduces current diffusion and improves focusing, improving tactile feedback accuracy and clarity. Additionally, we developed an electrical tactile interaction evaluation system to quantitatively assess the tactile recognition accuracy and reaction time of 30 participants. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed electrode structure and evaluation system substantially enhance tactile perception in VR environments. This system has been demonstrated through immersive scenarios such as touching running water, stroking a bird’s forehead, and feeling a cactus, highlighting its potential for providing precise tactile feedback and enhancing personalized human–computer interaction in VR.