A wireless communication system for a tactile vest

Abstract

This research focuses on the development of wireless communication circuitry for a tactile display called the Tactile Vest. The display consists of a 4x4 array of vibrating motors worn around the user's torso in direct contact with the skin. It allows an operator with a notebook computer to issue navigational commands wirelessly to units in the vicinity and receive transmissions from them regarding their status. Each command is associated with a pattern of vibratory stimulation to which the user responds. The Tactile Vest system must be durable, lightweight, and consume very little power since it will be worn by mobile users for extended periods. The complete circuit design process is described, from initial prototype development to final layout and testing. A graphical user interface for the notebook computer, written in Visual Basic .NET, is also presented.