Lin Weikang, Zhang Dongsheng, Lee Wang Wei, Li Xuelong, Hong Ying, Pan Qiqi, Zhang Ruirui, Peng Guoxiang, Tan Hong Z, Zhang Zhengyou, Wei Lei, Yang Zhengbao
Robotics X Laboratory, Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Sci Adv. 2022 Sep 9;8(36):eabp8738. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abp8738.
The human somatosensory system is capable of extracting features with millimeter-scale spatial resolution and submillisecond temporal precision. Current technologies that can render tactile stimuli with such high definition are neither portable nor easily accessible. Here, we present a wearable electrotactile rendering system that elicits tactile stimuli with both high spatial resolution (76 dots/cm) and rapid refresh rates (4 kHz), because of a previously unexplored current-steering super-resolution stimulation technique. For user safety, we present a high-frequency modulation method to reduce the stimulation voltage to as low as 13 V. The utility of our high spatiotemporal tactile rendering system is highlighted in applications such as braille display, virtual reality shopping, and digital virtual experiences. Furthermore, we integrate our setup with tactile sensors to transmit fine tactile features through thick gloves used by firefighters, allowing tiny objects to be localized based on tactile sensing alone.
人类体感系统能够以毫米级的空间分辨率和亚毫秒级的时间精度提取特征。目前能够呈现如此高清晰度触觉刺激的技术既不便于携带，也不容易获得。在此，我们展示了一种可穿戴式电触觉渲染系统，由于采用了一种此前未被探索的电流转向超分辨率刺激技术，该系统能够以高空间分辨率（76点/厘米）和快速刷新率（4千赫）引发触觉刺激。为了用户安全，我们提出了一种高频调制方法，可将刺激电压降低至低至13伏。我们的高时空触觉渲染系统的实用性在诸如盲文显示、虚拟现实购物和数字虚拟体验等应用中得到了凸显。此外，我们将我们的装置与触觉传感器集成，以通过消防员使用的厚手套传输精细的触觉特征，从而仅基于触觉传感就能定位微小物体。
