Description:

In this study we aimed to assess the physical and perceptual properties of a tactile display to be used for tactile notification feedback into CLEF, a MAX/MSP-based environment for composition and performance of live electronics. The tactile display is composed of two rotating eccentric mass actuators driven by a PWM signal generated from an Arduino microcontroller. Several measurements using an accelerometer and three user-based studies were conducted in order to evaluate: vibrotactile absolute perception threshold; differential threshold, temporal differential threshold and vibration frequency peaks. Results obtained provided us with precise design guidelines to ensure robust perceptual discrimination between two tactile stimuli at different intensities and temporal lengths. Among with other characterizations presented in this study, the guidelines allowed us to better design tactile cues for our notification module for live-electronics performance (? see also Vibrotactile Feedback for Live Electronics Performance). A set of eight tactons were designed for the vibrotactile notification tool, and an absolute identification test was carried out in order to evaluate the tacton’s recognition rates. Results showed a mean identification rate of 74%. Finally, we created a library of tactile notification presets to be loaded into CLEF, among with a tacton editor for design of customized tactile events.

IDMIL Participants:

• Marcello Giordano
• Marcelo M. Wanderley
• Marlon Schumacher

External Participants:

Emma Frid

Research Areas:

• Haptics: Tactile and Force-Feedback

Publications:

• Frid, E., Giordano, M., Schumacher, M., Wanderley, M. M. (2014). Perceptual Characterization of a Tactile Display for a Live-Electronics Notification System. In Proceedings of the Joint 2014 International Computer Music Conference/Sound and Music Computing Conference (ICMC/SMC). Athens, Greece.