ElectricItch

Abstract

Grabbing users' attention is a fundamental aspect of interactive systems. However, there is a disconnect between the ways our devices notify us and how our bodies do so naturally. In this paper, we explore the body's modality of itching as a way to provide such natural feedback. We create itching sensations via low-current electric stimulation, which allows us to quickly generate this sensation on demand. In a first study we explore the design space around itching and how changes in stimulation parameters influence the resulting sensation. In a second study we compare vibration feedback and itching integrated in a smartwatch form factor. We find that we can consistently induce itching sensations and that these are perceived as more activating and interrupting than vibrotactile stimuli. CCS Concepts •Human-centered computing → Haptic devices; Empirical studies in HCI;

First Steps Towards Designing Electrotactons: Investigating Intensity and Pulse Frequency as Parameters for Electrotactile Cues

“…We conducted two experiments. In the frst, we investigated how 9 levels of Intensity afected ratings of perceived urgency, annoyance, valence and arousal, using three levels of pulse width and amplitude, which govern the strength of the electrical current [29]. We wanted to evaluate what efects electrotactile cues had on the functional aspects of alertness (urgency and annoyance) and emotion (valence and arousal).…”

“…Electrotactile feedback has been investigated to: elicit itchiness [29], render stereo smell by stimulating the trigeminal nerve [6], integrate the sense of touch into a prosthetic device [11], present object shapes [16], and to present verbal information [23]. This has been done by manipulating pulse frequency, pulse width amplitude, and type of electrical current.…”

“…[2], had not compared amplitude and pulse width directly to assess their relative efects on perceived sensation. Pohl et al [29] has stated that amplitude produced to a stronger sensation, so both were compared in the same experiment to investigate this further. The hypotheses for this experiment were:…”

“…It can also present dynamic patterns with diferent intensities very rapidly [16]. Electrotactile feedback has been investigated for its perception on diferent parts of the body [9,20,29]. Our previous work [2] has started to look at some of the basic parameters available to designers to begin to understand how they might be used in a more structured way.…”

MOTUS: Rendering Emotions with a Wrist-worn Tactile Display

“…However, vibration cannot effectively simulate force feedback because vibration and forces are sensed by different mechanoreceptors [17]. Electro muscle stimulation can create haptic or force feedback [9,21], but it often evokes unpleasant sensation. Expressive force feedback can also be achieved through robotic arms [20] or shape-changing interfaces [22], such as a pin-based shape displays [7,8] that can express a change in form, texture, etc., and can be realized by actuating an array of pins on human skin [1,14].…”