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TactileWear: A Comparison of Electrotactile and Vibrotactile Feedback on the Wrist and Ring Finger

Published: 26 October 2020 Publication History

Abstract

Wearables are getting more and more powerful. Tasks like notifications can be delegated to smartwatches. But the output capabilities of wearables seem to be stuck at displays and vibration. Electrotactile feedback may serve as an energy-efficient alternative to standard vibration feedback. We developed prototypes of wristbands and rings and conducted two studies to compare electrotactile and vibrotactile feedback. The prototypes have either four electrodes for electrotactile feedback or four actuators for vibration feedback. In a first study we analyzed the localization characteristics of the created stimuli. The results suggest more strongly localized sensations for electrotactile feedback, compared to vibrotactile feedback, which was more diffuse. In a second study we created notification patterns for both modalities and evaluated recognition rates, verbal associations, and satisfaction. Although the recognition rates were higher with electrotactile feedback, vibrotactile feedback was judged as more comfortable and less stressful. Overall, the results show that electrotactile feedback can be a viable alternative to vibrotactile feedback for wearables, especially for notification rings.

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    NordiCHI '20: Proceedings of the 11th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction: Shaping Experiences, Shaping Society
    October 2020
    1177 pages
    ISBN:9781450375795
    DOI:10.1145/3419249
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    Published: 26 October 2020

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    Author Tags

    1. Electrotactile Feedback
    2. Haptic Perception
    3. Notification
    4. Tactile Pattern
    5. Vibration
    6. Wearable Computing

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    NordiCHI '20: Shaping Experiences, Shaping Society
    October 25 - 29, 2020
    Tallinn, Estonia

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    NordiCHI '20 Paper Acceptance Rate 89 of 399 submissions, 22%;
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    • (2024)Shock Me The Way: Directional Electrotactile Feedback under the Smartwatch as a Navigation Aid for CyclistsProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36765218:MHCI(1-25)Online publication date: 24-Sep-2024
    • (2024)A Touch of Gold - Spraying and Electroplating 3D Prints to Create Biocompatible On-Skin WearablesAdjunct Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Mobile Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/3640471.3680227(1-7)Online publication date: 21-Sep-2024
    • (2023)Colorful Electrotactile Feedback on the WristProceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Multimedia10.1145/3626705.3627800(172-184)Online publication date: 3-Dec-2023
    • (2023)Can You Ear Me?Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies10.1145/36109257:3(1-23)Online publication date: 27-Sep-2023
    • (2023)Improving electrotactile communication with a multi‐pad electrode under cognitive loadArtificial Organs10.1111/aor.1470048:6(626-635)Online publication date: 27-Dec-2023
    • (2023)MultiVibes: What if your VR Controller had 10 Times more Vibrotactile Actuators?2023 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR)10.1109/ISMAR59233.2023.00085(703-712)Online publication date: 16-Oct-2023
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    • (2022)Encoding of spatial patterns using electrotactile stimulation via a multi‐pad electrode placed on the torsoArtificial Organs10.1111/aor.1434146:10(2044-2054)Online publication date: 27-Jun-2022
    • (2022)Electrotactile Feedback Applications for Hand and Arm Interactions: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Future DirectionsIEEE Transactions on Haptics10.1109/TOH.2022.318986615:3(479-496)Online publication date: 1-Jul-2022
    • (2022)Electrotactile and Vibrotactile Feedback Enable Similar Performance in Psychometric Tests and Closed-Loop ControlIEEE Transactions on Haptics10.1109/TOH.2021.311762815:1(222-231)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2022
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