An investigation of search behaviour in a tactile exploration task for sighted and non-sighted adults.

Abstract

In this work in progress we propose a new method for evaluating objectively the process of performing a tactile exploration with a visuo-tactile sensory substitution system. Both behavioral and neurophysiological cues are considered to evaluate the identification process of virtual objects and surrounding environments. Our experiments suggest that both sighted and visually impaired users integrated spatial information and developed similar behavioural and neurophysiological patterns. The proposed method could also serve as a tool to evaluate touch-based interfaces for application in orientation and mobility programs.

Tactile exploration of virtual objects for blind and sighted people: the role of beta 1 EEG band in sensory substitution and supramodal mental mapping

“…This was achieved by analyzing EEG power and coherence patterns in the beta 1 band. The task was a tactile exploration of a virtual object displayed by the DIGEYE system (Brayda et al 2011) compared with rest and passive stimulation. This is one of the first studies addressing sensory substitution and mental mapping in the context of virtual reality, a technique that facilitates unconstrained perception of abstract models.…”

“…All subjects were right handed. Each subject was seated comfortably at a desk while EEG was recorded continuously, both at rest (baseline) and while exploring one virtual environment (VE) with a tactile device (Brayda et al 2011) as part of our Digital Eye (DIGEYE) system (Chellali et al 2009), as represented in APPENDIX A (see Fig. A1).…”

“…A2) without any prior cue (Benson et al 2011) and attempting to build a mental map of the VE. More details are available in Brayda et al (2011). While using the tactile device, EEG (Fig.…”

“…The aim of this study is to make a preliminary analysis of EEG activity in blind and sighted subjects while they build mental maps from virtual objects, sensed with a tactile device (Brayda et al 2011). We focused on the beta 1 band, considering previous indications concerning its role in information processing, visuo-motor activities, and working memory.…”

Predicting Successful Tactile Mapping of Virtual Objects

“…To address these issues, we showed in previous works that it is possible-with a reduced amount of spatial information and with no training-to map different objects with touch [27]. We also qualitatively assessed the strategies that subjects adopt during the exploration of an unknown object [28].…”