Can combined linear skin-stretch at the forearm evoke torsional haptic cues? A navigation experiment with a novel wearable device in VR

Wearable haptic devices can convey not only simulation of physical interaction, but also informative haptic cues. Directional cues are particularly interesting due to their broad-ranging applications in navigation, teleoperation and situational awareness scenarios. This paper investigates whether combined linear skin stretch on the forearm can provide torsional cues for haptic guidance. On the basis of previous evidences, a dedicated wearable haptic device that applies skin stretch in four locations along the forearm was developed, aiming to provide directional hints to the wrist in 2-DoF. Equipped with two pairs of tactile devices, this system has applications in rehabilitation, postural guidance, and virtual interaction. Tests conducted in virtual reality, where subjects controlled a virtual airplane using haptic feedback, reveal that skin-stretch does not provide sufficiently clear torsional cues to guide the subjects' movements.