Impact of Whole-Body Vibrations on Electrovibration Perception Varies with Target Stimulus Duration

ObjectiveThis study investigates the impact of whole-body vibrations caused by external vehicle perturbations, such as aircraft turbulence, on the perception of electrovibration displayed on touchscreens.BackgroundElectrovibration is a promising technology for providing tactile feedback on future touchscreens, potentially addressing usability challenges in vehicle cockpits. However, its performance under dynamic conditions, such as whole-body vibrations caused by turbulence, remains largely unexplored.MethodWe measured the absolute detection thresholds of 24 human participants for short (0.2 s) and long (0.5 s) duration electrovibration stimuli displayed on a touchscreen. These measurements were taken in the absence and presence of two types of turbulence motion (Gaussian and Multisine) generated by a motion simulator. Concurrently, we recorded participants' applied contact force and finger displacements.ResultsElectrovibration stimuli displayed on vehicle cockpit touchscreens were more reliably perceived with a 0.5-s duration than a 0.2-s duration, both in the presence and absence of turbulence. Both turbulence types led to increased vibration-induced finger displacements and scan speeds in the direction of turbulence, as well as higher applied forces and force fluctuation rates. Gaussian turbulence significantly elevated perception thresholds, but only for short-duration electrovibration stimuli.ConclusionThe findings indicate that whole-body vibrations impair the perception of short-duration electrovibration stimuli, primarily due to unintentional finger movements and increased fluctuations in applied normal force.ApplicationOur findings offer valuable insights for the future design of touchscreens with tactile feedback in vehicle cockpits.