title: Vibrotactile perception assessment for a haptic interface on an antigravity suit.
abstract: Haptic technology is used in various fields to transmit information to the user with or without visual and auditory cues. This study aimed to provide preliminary data for use in developing a haptic interface for an antigravity (anti-G) suit. With the structural characteristics of the anti-G suit in mind, we determined five areas on the body (lower back, outer thighs, inner thighs, outer calves, and inner calves) on which to install ten bar-type eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motors as vibration actuators. To determine the design factors of the haptic anti-G suit, we conducted three experiments to find the absolute threshold, moderate intensity, and subjective assessments of vibrotactile stimuli. Twenty-six fighter pilots participated in the experiments, which were conducted in a fixed-based flight simulator. From the results of our study, we recommend 1) absolute thresholds of ∼11.98-15.84 Hz and 102.01-104.06 dB, 2) moderate intensities of 74.36 Hz and 126.98 dB for the lower back and 58.65 Hz and 122.37 dB for either side of the thighs and calves, and 3) subjective assessments of vibrotactile stimuli (displeasure, easy to perceive, and level of comfort). The results of this study will be useful for the design of a haptic anti-G suit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information and Industrial Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Jin Air Co., Ltd., 453 Gonghang-dearo, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 07570, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwangil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Republic of Korea Air Force Safety Center, P.O. Box 8, Yeouidaebang-ro 22-gil 77, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 07056, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Daeho
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Information and Industrial Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yongguji@yonsei.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Yong Gu
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Ji
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001415:Back / Q000502:physiology; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004867:Equipment Design; D005676:Gravity Suits; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D000070356:Pilots; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013848:Thigh / Q000502:physiology; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014732:Vibration
keywords: Anti-G suit; Haptics; Vibrotactile