Development of an electrotactile glove for display of graphics for the blind: preliminary results

We present preliminary results from a pattern perception experiment using a finger-mounted, optical-to-tactile image conversion system. The system converts light patterns from a linear camera to a corresponding column of electrotactile (electrocutaneous) stimulation on the palmer surface of the finger. Random presentations of four simple geometric patterns selected were correctly identified 63.5% of the time, demonstrating initial feasibility of the system.