Skin Stretch

A haptic feedback technique that conveys directional or magnitude information by laterally stretching the skin at the fingertip, palm, or other contact point rather than by vibration or kinesthetic force on a joint. Skin stretch engages slowly adapting tactile mechanoreceptors and can produce a clear sense of direction with very small actuators, making it attractive for lightweight wearable guidance devices. It is closely related to — but distinct from — fingertip deflection, which pulls the whole fingertip in a direction rather than shearing the skin underneath it.