Presentation
A psychophysical comparison of vibrotactile and electrotactile feedback for hazard proximity alerts
DescriptionMaintaining spatial awareness is critical for worker safety in construction and similar high-risk environments, where traditional visual and auditory alerts may be missed due to task demands and environmental noise. This study investigates the use of alternative haptic feedback modalities, specifically vibrotactile feedback through mechanical vibrations and electrotactile feedback through electrical stimulation, to deliver hazard proximity alerts without relying on sight or hearing. In a preliminary investigation, participants operated a simulated construction vehicle while receiving either vibrotactile or electrotactile feedback, and their ability to perceive and distinguish changes in feedback intensity was measured. Results indicate that vibrotactile feedback offers a more consistent and easily perceivable signal compared to electrotactile feedback, which exhibited greater individual variability and adaptation effects. These findings provide foundational insights into the design of haptic communication systems intended to support situational awareness in multitasking environments. Future work will extend this research to virtual reality simulations of excavation tasks to evaluate how these feedback modalities influence operator performance, situational awareness, and workload under more realistic conditions.
Event Type
Industry/Practitioner Content
Lecture
TimeWednesday, October 15th12:10pm - 12:30pm CDT
LocationGrand Hall K
Extended Reality
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