Affiliations: Université Pierre et Marie Curie – Paris 6, Laboratoire de Robotique de Paris, CNRS FRE 2507, 92265 Fontenay aux Roses, France | CEA/LIST, 92265 Fontenay aux Roses, France
Note: [] Corresponding Author: R. Velázquez, Université Pierre et Marie Curie – Paris 6, Laboratoire de Robotique de Paris, CNRS FRE 2507, 92265 Fontenay aux Roses, France. Tel:+33 1 46 54 90 79; Fax: +33 1 46 54 72 99; Email: [email protected]
Abstract: This paper presents a new concept of low-cost, high-resolution, lightweight, compact and highly portable tactile display. The prototype consists of an array of 8 × 8 upward/downward independent moveable pins based on shape memory alloy (SMA) technology. Each tactile actuator consists of an antagonist arranged pair of miniature NiTi SMA helical springs capable of developing a 300 mN pull force at 1.5 Hz bandwidth by using simple forced-air convection. The proposed concept allows the development of 200 g weight tactile instruments of compact dimensions which can be easily carried by a visually disabled user. A detailed technical description of the SMA active element, tactile actuator and tactile display is presented and discussed. Preliminary perceptual results confirm the effectiveness of the display on information transmission.
