So during my research on haptics and tactile feedback, I once came across a study which claimed that they could create some impressive tactile illusions with what sounds like a pretty simple device:
- something for the user's finger to sit in (like a thimble),
- and a computer-controlled rod (I think the artical called it an arm) that can move across it.
The results were apparently capable of simulating different types of surfaces, and even the sensation of being pricked.
When I looked into it further, I came across a discussion in which someone said that it wasn't as new as the study made it out to be, but generally it sounded interesting.
I've never managed to whip up something to test it with, but I'd imagine that an important part of the illusion would be that the moving part isn't under your control, so that your brain doesn't compensate for it in the wrong way. I can't think of any robotic arms in my reach at the moment.

So, just wondering if anyone else has heard of this / has experience with it / knows anything else about it (for instance, if it's the least bit useful for anything), stuff like that.

Or if a super awesome tactile display suddenly appeared in the wild last week, by all means turn the topic to that.