Methods of sensory augmentation through electro-tactile stimulation of the tongue

Abstract

A device has been constructed and a series of trials have been performed in order to demonstrate the efficacy and further advantages of an electro-tactile array mounted onto the tongue surface for the purpose of sensory augmentation. Tests have shown that by using a low resolution array a computer-human feedback loop can be successfully implemented in order to complete tasks such as object tracking, surface shape identification and shape recognition with no training or prior experience with the device. Comparisons of this technique have been made with visual alternatives and show that the tongue based tactile array can match such methods in convenience and accuracy in performing simple tasks.