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Transforming static interfaces into tactile channels with steerable transdermal foci.
Qiutong Liu1,2, Yi Tang1, Jingyue Luo1
1CTSIRI-PolyU Joint Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Science Advances
|July 8, 2026
Summary
This study introduces transdermal all-directional targeting (TADT), a novel tactile display that transforms grip surfaces into active information channels. TADT enables efficient, high-resolution tactile communication for enhanced human-machine interaction.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Haptics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Tactile sensitivity of the hand is underutilized in human-machine interaction.
- Existing interfaces often fail to leverage passive grip surfaces for information transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce transdermal all-directional targeting (TADT), a static-contact interface strategy.
- To convert passive grip surfaces into active tactile displays for information transfer during grasping.
Main Methods:
- TADT integrates a microtextured skin-coupling interface with phase-controlled vibrotactile actuation.
- This design enhances energy delivery and generates steerable 3D tactile foci beneath the skin.
- The system achieves high-frequency vibration (>200 Hz) and sub-actuator-pitch spatial super-resolution.
Main Results:
- TADT lowers tactile detection thresholds by 30% and reduces power consumption by 80%.
- Users reliably identified six directional cues using static grip alone.
- Successful completion of nonvisual indoor navigation and virtual reality tasks was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- TADT offers a compact and energy-efficient modality for expressive tactile communication.
- This technology enhances human-machine interaction by utilizing hand contact surfaces for information transfer.
- TADT enables stable grasping while delivering evolving spatial and temporal tactile information.
