Work

Demonstrating Haptic Source-Effector: Full-Body Haptics via Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Year: 2024

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: We propose a novel concept for haptics in which one centralized on-body actuator renders haptic effects on multiple body parts by stimulating the brain, i.e., the source of the nervous system—we call this a haptic source-effector, as opposed to the traditional wearables’ approach of attaching one actuator per body part (end-effectors). We implement our concept via transcranial-magnetic-stimulation (TMS)—a non-invasive technique from neuroscience/medicine in which electromagnetic pulses safely stimulate brain areas. Our approach renders ~15 touch/force-feedback sensations throughout the body (e.g., hands, arms, legs, feet, and jaw), all by stimulating the user’s sensorimotor cortex with a single magnetic coil moved mechanically across the scalp.

Source: ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST)

DOI: 10.1145/3672539.3686756

Authors: Yudai Tanaka, Hunter G Mathews, Jacob Serfaty, Pedro Lopes

Institution: University of Chicago

Language: English

Topic: Tactile and Sensory Interactions

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Science Foundation