Abstract
Human beings acquire road surface conditions via the tactile sense mechanism of the plantar to realize bipedal locomotion, without falling. Thus, the elucidation of tactile sense information processing of the plantar is expected to be useful for realization of walk support or robust control of a walking robot. In this study, we developed a device for the measurement of tactile sensitivity of the plantar towards the elucidation of tactile information processing of the plantar during walking. Using foot ware equipped with this device we compared the tactile sensitivity of the plantar m the standing posture requiring load for the plantar with the seating position to perform a series of psychophysical experiments, which is prior to the measurement of sensitivity obtained in walking. As the result of experiments, it is shown showed that the sensitivity of the heel does not have a difference in a standing position and a seating position. Consequently, the influence of load is small to tactile sensitivity of the plantar.
