Perceptual Findings with the Vision-Substitution System

The initial evaluation of a system for converting an optical image into a tactile display is reported. A 400-tactor array has proved capable of providing blind and sighted subjects with useful information about the disposition of objects in three dimensions. External localization of percepts was greatly facilitated by giving observers control of the sensing and imaging device, a television camera. There has been a surprising similarity between the blind and sighted observers in their manner and speed of gaining facility with the system. The system's limitations thus far appear to be due more to the low resolution of the display than to the skin's shortcomings as a receptor surface.