The number of communication methods has grown significantly over the past two decades. By utilizing advancements in sensors and software, technologies are being developed to enable more complex messages to be communicated through haptics, which uses the sense of touch. Haptic communication overcomes communication barriers for blind and deaf people or where dangerous, dark, or noisy environments prevent the effective use of auditory or visual communication methods.
SPAWAR Systems Center-Pacific (SSC) has developed a glove that can send and receive messages simply by moving fingers. Each finger is fitted with a sensor to measure movement, called an accelerometer, and a vibration motor that creates "sense of touch" feedback. Movements are translated into language and sent over a wireless network from one glove to another glove in the form of vibrations that the receiving party feels. For example, if one user were to hold up the universal peace sign, the other user may feel the Braille writing for the word "peace" on his or her fingertips, and a computer monitor would display the word "peace." In addition to person-to-person communication, this glove can be used to interact with computers, the World Wide Web, and even autonomous robotic vehicles. Entire books could be communicated electronically to the blind using the glove.
More info: Stephen H. Lieberman, Ph.D., 619-553-2778, stephen.lieberman@navy.mil
