バーチャル歩行感覚生成のための下肢運動感覚と腱電気刺激の併用提示手法

抄録

We aimed to generate a walking sensation for a person who just sits on a chair. We considered that, such a virtual walking method allows a local person to experience the performances of other person or a robot who being at the remote area. In this study, we proposed a method of using tendon electrical stimulation combined with kinesthetic sensation on the lower limbs for providing high realistic sensation of walking. We developed a system that can present multisensory stimuli of visual image, kinesthetic and electrical pulses. Electrodes were placed on both the Achilles tendons and the tibialis anterior tendons of the lower limbs. We preliminarily investigated the placement of the electrodes at the lower limbs in terms of sensation of tension to select the appropriate location. We also investigated the sensation of translational motion and the sensation of walking when visual stimulation and electrical/kinesthetic stimulation were presented to the lower limbs. The result of the subjective rating indicated that kinesthetic stimulation could generate the sensations of translational motion and walking. Furthermore, tendon electrical stimulation could enhance these sensations to create more realistic experience.