Encoding contact size using static and dynamic electrotactile finger stimulation: natural decoding vs. trained cues

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dc.contributor.authorHenrich, Mauricio Carlos
dc.contributor.authorGarenfeld, Martin A.
dc.contributor.authorMalesevic, Jovana
dc.contributor.authorStrbac, Matija
dc.contributor.authorDosen, Strahinja
dc.contributor.institutionSG
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-24T12:16:12Z
dc.date.available2024-07-24T12:16:12Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.descriptionPublisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.
dc.description.abstractElectrotactile stimulation through matrix electrodes is a promising technology to restore high-resolution tactile feedback in extended reality applications. One of the fundamental tactile effects that should be simulated is the change in the size of the contact between the finger and a virtual object. The present study investigated how participants perceive the increase of stimulation area when stimulating the index finger using static or dynamic (moving) stimuli produced by activating 1 to 6 electrode pads. To assess the ability to interpret the stimulation from the natural cues (natural decoding), without any prior training, the participants were instructed to draw the size of the stimulated area and identify the size difference when comparing two consecutive stimulations. To investigate if other “non-natural” cues can improve the size estimation, the participants were asked to enumerate the number of active pads following a training protocol. The results demonstrated that participants could perceive the change in size without prior training (e.g., the estimated area correlated with the stimulated area, p < 0.001; ≥ two-pad difference recognized with > 80% success rate). However, natural decoding was also challenging, as the response area changed gradually and sometimes in complex patterns when increasing the number of active pads (e.g., four extra pads needed for the statistically significant difference). Nevertheless, by training the participants to utilize additional cues the limitations of natural perception could be compensated. After the training, the mismatch in the activated and estimated number of pads was less than one pad regardless of the stimulus size. Finally, introducing the movement of the stimulus substantially improved discrimination (e.g., 100% median success rate to recognize ≥ one-pad difference). The present study, therefore, provides insights into stimulation size perception, and practical guidelines on how to modulate pad activation to change the perceived size in static and dynamic scenarios.en
dc.description.statusPeer reviewed
dc.identifier.citationHenrich , M C , Garenfeld , M A , Malesevic , J , Strbac , M & Dosen , S 2024 , ' Encoding contact size using static and dynamic electrotactile finger stimulation : natural decoding vs. trained cues ' , Experimental Brain Research . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-024-06794-y
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s00221-024-06794-y
dc.identifier.issn0014-4819
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11556/4630
dc.identifier.urlhttp://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85187414542&partnerID=8YFLogxK
dc.language.isoeng
dc.relation.ispartofExperimental Brain Research
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.keywordsElectrotactile stimulation
dc.subject.keywordsHaptic device
dc.subject.keywordsSize perception
dc.subject.keywordsTactile feedback
dc.subject.keywordsVirtual reality
dc.subject.keywordsGeneral Neuroscience
dc.titleEncoding contact size using static and dynamic electrotactile finger stimulation: natural decoding vs. trained cuesen
dc.typejournal article
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