BuzzWear: Alert Perception in Wearable Tactile Displays on the Wrist

This paper, presented at CHI in 2010, has to do with feedback by a wrist worn wearable tactile displays (WTDs). The paper presents the results of a study testing the ability of subjects to perceive tactile alerts, even while distracted. The study was conducted in two major parts. One being perception of feedback without any distractions. The other being perception of feedback with distractions. In both cases, the users of the WTDs were given time to learn the different feedback patterns. 

The results of this testing showed that even while distracted a person is capable of reacting very quickly and accurately to tactile feedback. Of the four criteria that made up the different feedbacks (point of origin, direction, intensity, and temporal pattern), the most difficult for most users to discern was intensity and the easiest was the temporal pattern. The study showed that even when faced with visual distraction, reaction time to WTDs was not slowed.

In conclusion, this means that WTDs would likely make very good means for alerting individuals in any situation.