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Published on: April 16, 2014
Haptic illusion during finger-held disk rotation: revisiting a deceptively simple illusion
Akira Imai1, Patrice Revol2, Yves Rossetti2,3
1Division of Experimental Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, Institute of Arts, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan. imaiakr@shinshu-u.ac.jp.
Experimental Brain Research
|July 25, 2026
Summary
The "disk-rotating" haptic illusion makes objects seem longer when rotated. Rotation by the turning hand is the primary cause, while the holding hand interacts to influence the illusion.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Haptics
Background:
- The "disk-rotating" haptic illusion describes the perception of increased length when a disk is rotated.
- This illusion may result from the combined actions of the hands involved in rotating and holding the object.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent contributions of the rotating and holding hands to the disk-rotating haptic illusion.
- To differentiate the roles of active rotation versus passive holding in creating the illusion.
Main Methods:
- Twenty participants rotated disks (30 and 39 mm) for one minute.
- Custom-made devices allowed independent control of disk rotation and holding.
- Experimental conditions included bimanual use (ordinary and device-assisted) and single-hand use.
Main Results:
- The illusion magnitude was comparable under ordinary bimanual use and device-assisted bimanual use.
- Single-hand rotation produced approximately 25% of the illusion magnitude observed in bimanual conditions.
- The holding hand showed minimal illusion, suggesting rotation is the primary driver.
Conclusions:
- The turning hand's rotation significantly contributes to the disk-rotating haptic illusion.
- The holding hand plays an interactive role, modulating the illusion's intensity.
- Further research should explore adaptation, aftereffect, and contrast effects in bimanual haptic signal processing.
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