Vibro-tactile Actuator for Smart Wear Applications Using Piezoelectric Ceramic Transducers

In this study, the vibration-based tactile actuator for smart wear applications is presented by using piezoelectric ceramic transducers. The compact wireless actuation system is constructed with a high voltage piezoelectric amplifier, a microcontroller, wireless communication module, and rechargeable lithium-polymer battery. For the wireless communication between a hardware and an operator, the bluetooth-based wireless communication system is prepared and the user interface is provided via smart phone applications. From a series of experimental user studies, it is demonstrated that the proposed vibro-tactile actuator based on piezoelectric ceramic transducers can be effectively applied to smart wear applications.