The effects of precueing on vibrotactile reaction times: implications for a guidance device for blind people

Abstract

Reaction times to a vibrotactile display are examined in two experiments which address the issues of secondary task and stimulus preview. Results suggest that although performing a secondary task significantly increases reaction times to a vibrotactile stimulus delivered to the fingers, this can be compensated for by presenting precueing stimuli. The implications of these findings in relation to guidance devices for the blind are discussed.