Basic Properties of Phantom Sensation for Practical Haptic Applications

Phantom sensation (PhS) is a pseudo-tactile sensation that occurs when two or more mechanical or electrical stimuli are presented simultaneously to the skin. PhS has two well-known characteristics. First, the location of PhS can be changed by changing the strength of stimuli. Second, the intensity of stimulation can influence the resulting PhS. This illusion has the potential to greatly reduce the number of stimulators required in wearable tactile interfaces. Although it has been shown that PhS is perceived more clearly with shorter pulses, currently only rough quantitative evaluation has been performed. In addition, the subjective qualities of the sensation have not previously been examined. We first summarize the basic characteristics of PhS, including the relationship between the duration of stimuli and the clarity of the illusion.