The housing 1672 for each cutaneous actuator 1602 in the array of cutaneous actuators may be mounted on a rigid substrate 1614 (shown above in FIG. 16H) to form the haptic communication device 1670. The housing 1672 increases localization of haptic effects on the body 1618 by focusing the haptic vibrations 1616 on the body 1618. In some embodiments, the housing 1672 may be made of molded plastic, machined plastic, or 3D-printed plastic. In some embodiments, the housing 1672 may be made of VeroWhite, nylon, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), or polycarbonate. In some embodiments, the housing 1672 may be machined out of polycarbonate or nylon, or 3-D printed ABS for ease of manufacturing and biocompatibility with human skin.
A roof 1674 of the housing 1632 provides support to the haptic communication device 1630. A portion of the roof 1674 may rest against a body 1618 of the user when the haptic communication device 1670 is transmitting the haptic vibrations 1616 to the user. The roof 1674 has an opening 1636 for an end effector 1620 (mounted on the cutaneous actuator 1602) to contact the body of the user 1618.