Balancing Wearability and Functionality in the Design of a Haptic Fingertip Device

Abstract

The FingerTac provides vibrotactile feedback at the palmar side of the finger while keeping it unobstructed. Yet, wearability aspects have been a shortcoming in the design. We propose a redesign that enhances wearability while preserving functionality. The redesign was evaluated compared to the original design in a user study. Our design was perceived as more comfortable, while performance and haptic sensation were sustained. However, the redesign was inferior in generating localized vibrotactile perceptions on the finger. This highlights the importance of balancing wearability and functional requirements when developing vibrotactile feedback devices. Further research is needed to address this challenge and understand the implications for FingerTac and the design of any haptic device.