A mechatronic platform for human touch studies

作者：Oddo Calogero Maria; Beccai Lucia; Vitiello Nicola^*; Wasling Helena Backlund; Wes**erg Johan; Carrozza Maria Chiara

来源：Mechatronics, 2011, 21(3): 604-613.

DOI：10.1016/j.mechatronics.2011.02.012

• Mechatronic tactile stimulator
• Electrophysiological measurements
• Fingertip mechanoreceptors
• Microneurography
• Tactile stimuli encoding
• Biorobotics

The development of a mechatronic tactile stimulation platform for touch studies is presented. The platform was developed for stimulation of the fingertip using textured surfaces, providing repeatable tangential sliding motion of stimuli with controlled indentation force. Particular requirements were addressed to make the platform suitable for neurophysiological studies in humans with particular reference to electrophysiological measurements, but allowing a variety of other studies too, such as psychophysical, tri-bological and artificial touch ones. The design of the mechatronic tactile stimulator is detailed, as well as the performance in tracking reference trajectories. Using microneurography, we recorded from human tactile afferents and validated the platform compatibility with the exacting demands of electrophysiological methods, comprising the absence of spurious vibrations and the lack of relevant electromagnetic interference.

• 出版日期2011-4