FIG. 16D is a perspective view of a portion of the example haptic communication device 1600 including a dampening member 1604, in accordance with an embodiment. The haptic communication device 1600 shown in FIG. 16D includes the dampening member 1604, the spacing member 1606, the second dampening member 1610, the cushioning member 1612, and the end effectors 1620. The haptic communication device 1600 shown in FIG. 16D is shaped and dimensioned to support four cutaneous actuators 1602, as shown by the four end effectors 1620. In other embodiments, the haptic communication device 1600 may include additional or fewer components than those described herein. Similarly, the functions can be distributed among the components and/or different entities in a different manner than is described here.
The dampening member 1604 has four openings 1668 as shown in FIG. 16D. The cutaneous actuators 1602 transmit the haptic vibrations 1616 to the distinct locations on the body 1618 through the openings 1668. The size of the openings may be designed to surround the end effector 1620. In one embodiment, the openings may be around 1 inch in diameter. The benefit of the openings is that they restrict the haptic vibrations 1616 to stay within the localized area, and result in better localization and perceptibility. The electronic circuitry 1608 is located within the space 1622 between the cushioning member 1612 and the spacing member 1606.
