Abstract
Vibration-induced kinesthetic illusions occur when vibratory stimulation is applied to muscles through the skin, creating the perception of movement in a body part. A key factor in successfully inducing the illusion is the efficient transmission of vibratory energy to the target muscles. This requires appropriate design of the contact parts between the vibration actuator and the human skin. This study examines prior work on vibration-induced kinesthetic illusions, with a focus on the mechanical design of contact parts in vibration stimulation devices. We analyze the shapes and dimensions of contact parts used in earlier research. Our review found that existing designs prioritize user comfort by employing shapes and flexible materials that minimize discomfort in the skin tactile sensation. Additionally, contact surfaces have been selected to facilitate efficient transmission of vibration to tendons or muscle bellies without stimulating unrelated tissues. Based on these findings, we identified some directions as important for future development of contact interfaces optimized for kinesthetic illusion induction.
