Three-dimensional tactile display for the blind

A tactile display device that can present tangible relief graphics for visually impaired persons has been developed. The tactile surface consists of a 64/spl times/64 arrangement of tactor-pins with 3 mm interspacing. The tactor-pins are aligned in a hexagonal, rather than a square formation, to assure smooth depiction. The matrix has a total area of 200 mm/spl times/170 mm. Each pin can be raised in 0.1 mm steps to a maximum height of 10 mm. Users can get certain information by touching the pins raised at varying heights with fingers and/or palms. Laboratory assessment of the device with six blind subjects showed its ability to transmit various kinds of information.