Tactile-Foot Stimulation Can Assist the Navigation of People with Visual Impairment

Figure 1

First prototype of tactile interface for the foot.

(a) Design concept. Inset: distribution of bioreceptors sensitive to vibrotactile stimulation in the foot sole, after [21]. Receptive field size range from 5.8 to 333.6 mm²

(b) Prototype. This device was featured in IEEE Spectrum Online [22]

(c) Drive components all connected by cables