Haptic Feedback Method using Deformation of Clothing

Abstract

Clothing that we wear every day remains in contact with our skin almost at all times. Various haptic sensations to our skin are produced when our clothes deform. We propose a haptic feedback method using the deformation of clothing. Our method deforms the clothing using the contraction of an actuator consisting of shape memory alloys and springs in order to generate haptic sensations. We implemented a prototype long-sleeve T-shirt placing four actuators around the circumference of the forearm, upper arm, and shoulder. We conducted three evaluations to compare the feedback positions. First, the pressure applied to the skin when an actuator contracted varied depending on the locations of the actuation. Second, as compared to the shoulder, the forearm and upper arm achieved a lower stimulation level at which the participants could detect the deformation of clothing taking place. Finally, participants recognized contraction patterns most accurately on the forearm; however, the accuracy of recognition in the case of the shoulder was the worst. Based on the obtained results, we discuss the feedback performance for each position and present the most effective feedback position and the set of contraction patterns that the user could most easily distinguish.