Study of optimal stimulation of skin for information transmission aiming at Body-Braille

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26350689
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Gunma National College of Technology
• Principal Investigator: OHTSUKA Satoshi 群馬工業高等専門学校, 電子情報工学科, 准教授 (50223863)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): HARAKAWA TETSUMI 前橋工科大学, 工学部, 教授 (70319151) ; SASAKI NOBUYUKI 筑波技術大学, 健康科学部, 教授 (00353251)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 福祉用具 / 支援機器 / 触覚 / 皮膚刺激 / 体表点字

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We are studying Boby-Braille, which transmits Braille character via vibration at any part of the body. We used vibration motors as elements that generate vibration stimuli. In this study, we studied the element that is a vibration stimulus horizontal or vertical to the skin. We tried shape memory alloys and stepping motors as elements for stimulation in the horizontal direction. Neither elements were weak stimuli, so they were not suitable as elements of Body-Braille. We attempted the vibration speakers as elements for stimulation in the vertical direction. Vibration speakers can freely change frequency and amplitude, so we were able to present the vibration suitable for Body-Braille using them.

Free Research Field

人間医工学