First tactile system to convey full-sphere sound location and motion in real time. Existing haptic aids deliver only simple buzzing cues; TouchingSpace360 provides graded, dynamic information that users integrate with audio intuitively.
Evidence that spatial perception can develop through touch alone: Congenitally hearing-impaired participants achieved localisation accuracies that are shown to be unattainable even for bilateral cochlear-implant users, who tend to perform better than unilateral users. Our findings show rapid spatial abilities in the congenitally hearing-impaired individuals using various combinations of assistive devices, thus informing the discourse of nature vs nurture and challenging long-held views of sensory “critical periods”.
Scalable, field-tested platform: Successful operation in clinical and cultural settings demonstrates durability, low maintenance, and high public acceptance.
Expected benefits:
Hearing-impaired users: safer mobility, better speech-in-noise understanding, and richer social participation.
General population: enhanced immersion and situational awareness in VR, gaming, and professional training.
Healthcare: a non-invasive tool for grounding and emotion regulation and anxiety.
Culture & education: inclusive, multisensory exhibits that engage mixed-ability audiences.
Next steps include miniaturising the actuator array, integrating learning algorithms that tailor patterns to individual sensitivity, expanding clinical trials, and partnering with device manufacturers to bring the technology to market.
TouchingSpace360 thus merges neuroscience, engineering, and design to turn vibration into a new “channel” for perceiving the world, advancing accessibility, safety, and multisensory experiences for millions.
Manuscripts:
Amedi, A., Snir, A., Wald, I., & Ciesla, K. (2024). Tactile Representation of Location Characteristics and Content in 3d (20240419252).
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2024/0419252.html#google_vignette(si apre in una nuova finestra)Snir, A., Cieśla, K., Vekslar, R., & Amedi, A. (2024). Highly compromised auditory spatial perception in aided congenitally hearing-impaired and rapid improvement with tactile technology. IScience, 27(9).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110808(si apre in una nuova finestra)Snir, A., Cieśla, K., Ozdemir, G., Vekslar, R., & Amedi, A. (2024). Localizing 3D motion through the fingertips: Following in the footsteps of elephants. IScience, 27(6).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109820(si apre in una nuova finestra)Snir A., Ciesla K, Amedi A., A novel tactile technology enables sound source identification by hearing-impaired individuals in a complex 3D audio environment (under review, Nature Scientific Reports)
Schwartz N.†, Snir A.†, Amedi A., Feeling the music: an investigation of tactile enhancement of music on emotional experiences (under review, Frontiers in Virtual Reality)
