At 3D Expo 2010, Waseda University’s Takashi Kawai Lab exhibited a system for creating tactile sensations that aren’t actually delivered, by using visual behavioral stimuli.

“To create an illusion, first, the hand is actually given a tactile stimulus. In time with that, a video showing receipt of the tactile stimulus is presented. Then the stimulus to the hand is stopped, the motion is stopped. But on screen, the object giving the stimulus continues to move. So user feels that the tactile stimulus, which should have ceased, is still acting, due to the visual stimulus.”

This system is expected to have applications in a variety of fields, as it opens up the possibility of presenting tactile stimuli through visual stimuli.

“We hope to be able to simplify previous haptic systems, and also to create sensations that weren’t possible before by using the visual sense. This system could be used in games. For example, by adding a small component to a mobile game device, you could develop applications with something moving above the hand. We also think it might be possible to use tactile sensations for giving directions in guidance and navigation systems. Another application might be rehabilitation, if it’s possible to create the sensation that the hands are moving.”

From now on, the research group plans to investigate whether tactile behavioral illusions can be created in other parts of the body.

Full story here: http://www.diginfo.tv/2010/12/22/10-0262-f-en.php