Effects of vibrotactile feedback on human learning of arm motions

Tactile cues generated from lightweight, wearable actuators can help users learn new motions by providing immediate feedback on when and how to correct their movements. We present a vibrotactile motion guidance system that measures arm motions and provides vibration feedback when the user deviates from a desired trajectory. A study was conducted to test the effects of vibrotactile guidance on a subject's ability to learn arm motions. Twenty-six subjects learned motions of varying difficulty with both visual (V), and visual and vibrotactile (VVT) feedback over the course of four days of training. After four days of rest, subjects returned to perform the motions from memory with no feedback. We found that augmenting visual feedback with vibrotactile feedback helped subjects reduce the root mean square (rms) angle error of their limb significantly while they were learning the motions, particularly for 1DOF motions. Analysis of the retention data showed no significant difference in rms angle errors between feedback conditions.