Deforming Skin Illusion by Visual-tactile Stimulation

PubDate:Oct 2023

Teams: Toyohashi University of Technology

Writers:Gakumaru Haraguchi,Michiteru Kitazaki

PDF:Deforming Skin Illusion by Visual-tactile Stimulation

Abstract

While previous studies have investigated virtual body embodiment in various forms, such as different colors, species, and transparency, little research has been conducted on elastic, non-rigid, or deforming bodies. If we can embody such elastic bodies, it will contribute to providing novel bodily experiences, such as being an octopus and developing a tele-operation system with deforming machines. We focused on skin deformation as the first step, and aimed to induce illusory experiences of having illusory sensation on deforming skin of a realistic virtual body using wearable tactile devices. The participants experience deforming skin illusions when a part of skin of the virtual arm is visually indented or stretched with synchronous tactile vibrations. The illusion is enhanced when the virtual arm’s location matches the real hand and when visual-tactile brush stroking is applied.