Abstract
An advanced multi-touch sensor surface aimed at musical expression was recently equipped by the authors with interactive multi-point localized vibrotactile feedback. Using such interface, a subjective assessment was conducted that measured how the presence and type of vibration affect the perceived quality of the device and various attributes related to the playing experience. Two clearly distinct sound settings each with three vibrotactile feedback strategies were tested. At each trial, the task was to play freely while comparing two related setups which used the same sound setting and differed only in the presence/absence of vibration. Independent of the sound setting, as compared to the respective non-vibrating setups, vibrations conveying frequency and amplitude dynamics cues coherent with the player's gesture and/or sonic feedback had the most positive effect. Vibrotactile feedback especially improved the enjoyment of playing and the perceived potential for musical expressivity.
Highlights
RECENT efforts in human-centered and technological research aimed to gain a better understanding of how vibrotactile signals can be conveyed to the user [1], [2], as well as to develop novel interactive surfaces yielding a rich haptic experience
The main findings of this study are shown in Fig. 7: i) not large, the measured effect of Sine or Audio vibration was appreciably positive; ii) Noise vibration did not enhance the subjective quality of the interface as compared to the non-vibrating condition; iii) vibrotactile feedback especially increased the perceived expressiveness of the interface and the enjoyment of playing
More complex strategies were recently proposed in the literature to design tactile signals based on the auditory feedback so as to enrich the music listening experience [41], [42] — these may be tested in a future experiment aiming to further highlight the positive effect of vibrotactile feedback
Summary
RECENT efforts in human-centered and technological research aimed to gain a better understanding of how vibrotactile signals can be conveyed to the user [1], [2], as well as to develop novel interactive surfaces yielding a rich haptic experience. With regard to haptic cues provided by interactive surfaces, localized feedback and friction modulation are regarded as key missing links to a more natural haptic response [4], [5]. Over the last few years interactive surfaces have become popular interfaces for musical interaction. Date of publication February 19, 2021; date of current version September 16, 2021. This article was recommended for publication by Associate Editor Prof. Eckehard Steinbach and Editor-in-Chief Dr Seungmoon Choi upon evaluation of the reviewers’ comments. Eckehard Steinbach and Editor-in-Chief Dr Seungmoon Choi upon evaluation of the reviewers’ comments. (Corresponding author: Stefano Papetti.)
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