In one embodiment, the cutaneous actuators 1722 may be voice coils that convert an analog AC-coupled signal (the actuator signals 1718) to proportional mechanical motion. The cutaneous actuators 1722 may be arranged on a semi-rigid backing that secures them in position against the body 1726 with enough pressure that the haptic vibrations 1724 can be perceived by the user. In other embodiments, the haptic communication device 1720 may include piezoelectric, electroactive polymer, eccentric rotating mass, and linear resonant actuators. Other embodiments of the haptic communication device 1720 are illustrated and described in detail with respect to