Tactile vocabulary for tactile displays

Two experiments were conducted to identify a set of tactile patterns that could be recognized with high accuracy when presented using a tactile display on the back. These patterns could then serve as tactons to communicate simple commands and directions. The tactile display comprised a 4-by-4 array of tactors that was worn across the back. In the first experiment a set of seven commonly used military hand and arm signals were converted into tactile patterns that subjects were required to identify. When both a visual representation of the tactile pattern and a picture of the hand signal were available, subjects attained a mean score of 98% correct. In the second experiment involving 15 tactile patterns, performance was excellent with a mean score of 98% correct. These patterns provide the basis for developing a tactile vocabulary.