NoseKnowsNorth: Directional Cueing using Nose Vibration Stimulation for Smart Glasses

Most directional navigation systems used in daily life provide visual and auditory information through smartphones or smart glasses. However, visual information may pose a risk of taking away the user’s attention and may cause a load due to information overload. Auditory information may be difficult to hear due to ambient noise. To solve this problem, previous studies have proposed methods to provide tactile stimulation to the neck, wrists, and face. Direction presentation using the sense of touch can convey direction without interfering with vision or hearing. However, there are few devices that can be worn for long periods of time in daily life with little burden. In this study, we propose NoseKnowsNorth, a device that provides directional cueing by delivering vibrational stimuli to both sides of the nasal bridge, leveraging the nose’s high tactile sensitivity. The nose can transmit information with weak vibrations, and by incorporating the device into the nose pads of eyeglasses, it can be easily used with smart glasses and reduce the burden of wearing them. The experimental results showed that left-right discrimination was achievable with nearly 100% accuracy, and directions could be indicated with a resolution within 45°.