Electrotactile Feedback

A form of haptic feedback that uses controlled electrical current applied directly to the skin or through a thin insulating layer to generate tactile sensations. Unlike vibrotactile feedback (which uses mechanical vibration) or pressure feedback (which uses physical force), electrotactile devices stimulate sensory nerves electrically, allowing for compact, lightweight designs with no moving parts. Parameters like voltage, current, frequency, and pulse duration can be modulated to create different sensations. Electrotactile devices show promise for accessibility applications due to their low cost, flexibility, and high resolution (achieving approximately 1.15mm precision), though careful design is needed to avoid discomfort from inappropriate current levels.