Detection Thresholds of Tactile Perception in Virtual Environments

We investigate the detection thresholds of tactile perception in virtual environments. We estimate the absolute detection thresholds for electrovibration stimuli under different parameters of excitation signals (waveform and frequency). Experimental results and subjective comments suggest that participants’ tactile sensitivities to electrovibration stimuli are decreased in virtual environments. The frequency significantly affects the absolute detection thresholds, and lower voltages can be perceived under 60Hz for the square wave than the sinusoidal wave. Our findings provide a foundation to future studies aiming at modelling and simulating desired tactile perception of objects in virtual reality.