Presenting Tingling Aftereffects Using Vibro-Thermal Feedback to Enhance Impact Sensation in Virtual Reality

Impact sensation is vital for achieving high realism and immersion in virtual reality (VR) applications such as sports games. There has been substantial research focusing on the moment of impact, using methods like electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and vibrotactile feedback. However, the size and complexity of these devices, along with concerns for user safety, limit their effectiveness in producing strong impact sensations. Additionally, less attention has been given to sensations experienced after a strong impact, like the tingling that follows a collision. This research focuses on an overlooked area: the aftereffects that emerge within the body following a physical impact. It specifically examines the tingling sensation that occurs after a strong hit, using a VR baseball bat-like device designed to deliver impulsive force, vibrotactile, and thermal feedback to the user’s hand. We conducted a user study (18 male, 6 female participants) to assess how these types of feedback affect the realism and intensity of impact sensations, as well as the tingling sensation perceived by users. The results revealed that both vibrotactile and thermal feedback as aftereffects significantly enhanced the impact sensation, confirming their ability to induce tingling sensations. Additionally, high-frequency vibrotactile stimuli particularly enhanced the tingling sensation and realism of impact. Although the sample had a gender imbalance, these findings highlight the potential for incorporating aftereffects feedback in VR systems to enhance impact sensations for entertainment and safety education purposes.