Development of a tactile display with 5mm resolution using an array of magnetorheological fluid

In this study, we demonstrate the design and evaluation of a stiffness tactile display using a magnetorheological (MR) fluid. The tactile display is based on the change in mechanical properties under an external magnetic field. In the tactile display, the MR fluid is encapsulated in chambers of 3mm diameter and arranged at intervals of 2mm. Magnetic fields were spatially applied to the tactile display using neodymium magnets of 3.5mm diameter. The design and spatial magnetic field application enable the tactile display to present stiff dots of 5mm resolution. We confirmed that the tactile display can present a spatial stiff dot and its pattern on the surface by compression experiments. Sensory evaluation revealed that the users were able to perceive the approximate position of the stiff dots. From the experiments, the tactile display has potential as a palpation tactile display and requires improvement to present various types of tissues.