Results from a Tactile Array on the Fingertip

Data from a 100-contactor tactile array on the fingertip (1 mm × 1 mm matrix) suggest that it may be possible to target different receptor populations in the skin by using different frequencies of vibratory stimulation (40 Hz and 320 Hz). Results from perception of a moving target within a uniform "background" vibration indicate that there is greater spatial acuity for perception at 320 Hz than at 40 Hz. In the absence of a background vibration, discrimination between moving-bar stimuli presented at resolutions of 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm is difficult, particularly at 40 Hz, suggesting that a 100-contactor tactile array may offer little advantage over a 25contactor array (2 mm × 2 mm matrix) in some contexts.