Information transfer using wearable thin electrotactile displays with microneedle electrodes

Tactile sensation is considered as a promising information transfer tool that can replace or compensate for sight and hearing information. In this study, we developed a sheet-type electrotactile display with microneedle electrodes. This flexible and thin display is suitable for wearable applications. It can present tactile sensation to the skin at a low voltage by penetrating the stratum corneum with microneedles. As a proof-of-concept experiment of transferring information via tactile sensation, we first tried to convey signals of two patterns using a single display. Next, we attempted to use multiple displays and experimentally investigated the spatial resolution of the tactile sensation on the forearm. Finally, 3-bit information was successfully transferred by three devices attached to the forearm.