Generating localized haptic feedback over a spherical surface

The ability to control and manipulate haptic imagery (aka imagining haptic sensations in the mind) makes use of and extends human vision, allowing “seeing by touch”, exploring, and understanding multidimensional information. In the purpose of exploring potential tools that can support visuo-haptic imagery, we performed testing on a spherical surface to investigate whether the placement of actuators at key locations and their activation at different time offsets can be used to generate dynamic movements of peak vibrations at a given point and across the curved surface. Through our testing of the spherical structure prototypes, we have found that offset actuations can be used to magnify vibrations at specific locations on a spherical surface. The gathered data show that increased amplitude can be created at a given point across the surface by using the actuation plate instead of multiple actuators affixed to the curved surface. Our plan is to use these results to induce dynamic haptic images in a vector format across any surfaces in the future.