Spatial perception of textures depends on length-scale

This study explores the ability to sense, retain, and recall tactile textures with and without deliberate visuospatial distraction. By examining this tactile recall for textures with significantly different characteristic length scales, we aim to distinguish modes of textural processing that are differentiated with respect to the use of spatial working memory. All textures were produced on a glass panel where ultrasonic vibrations modulated the friction between glass and the user’s finger. The goal of this study is to demonstrate that spatial working memory is a significant tool in representing textures with relatively large inter-feature spacing, but does not appear to play a large factor when textures have relatively small inter-feature spacing. This conclusion suggests that spatial information is only relevant in texture sensation above a certain length scale, which could contribute to the reduction of information required for a texture to be realistically reproduced in a virtual setting.