Validation of subcutaneous SED distribution in a simplified 3-D fingertip anatomical model

Abstract

Humans use distributed tactile information such as pressure distribution on the finger belly for grasping and manipulating objects and for identifying materials. The present study reproduces realistic tactile sensation by generating strain energy density (SED) distribution between the epidermis and dermis by suction pressure control. In this study, we aim to reproduce realistic tactile sensation by generating strain energy density distribution between epidermis and dermis using suction pressure control. The control method is based on a real-time finger deformation simulation, but it is necessary to simplify the deformation calculation and the finger model used. To investigate the validity of the real-time simulation, we created a finger model using mesh generation software, compared the results of real-time simulation with the results of analysis using finite element analysis software, and compared the results of finite element analysis with experimental results. Since there were differences between the experimental and finite element analysis results, and between the finite element analysis and real-time simulation results, future research should include modification of the finger model geometry, modification of the finger model characteristics in the finite element analysis, and modification of the finger model characteristics in the finite element analysis and real-time simulation. identification of the factors that cause the difference between the finite element analysis and the real-time simulation SED calculations. The future work includes identifying the causes of the differences between the finite element analysis and the real-time simulation SED calculations.