Introduction

Vestibular function in humans is paramount to our daily lives. Activities such as walking , balancing, and posture are all significantly affected by our vestibular system. Thus, those with vestibular impairments, such as certain types of vertigo, are significantly impacted by their reduced ability to carry out these tasks. The concept of sensory substitution involves supplying sensory stimuli through a sensory modality usually used for gathering different sensory data – and has an important role to play in rehabilitation those with vestibular impairments. Sensory substitution requires the use of a specific device, which uses artificial sensors to collect sensory data, and delivers this data to a subject via one of their sensory modalities (e.g touch, audio, visual). Such devices are called Sensory Substitution Devices (or SSDs), and due to the custom nature of these devices and the difficulties associated with designing them , there are relatively few studies where the ability for sensory substation devices to provide measurable improvement in completing tasks, is tested. However, the studies which have taken place, such as those with the BrainPort artificial vision device , the feelSpace belt , and the research of Maria C Dadarlat , have all shown that SSDs can cause measurable and significant improvement in completion of relevant tasks. The BrainPort and feelSpace belt studies show that when this artificial stimulus, in the form of haptic feedback, is related to the input from an artificial sensor, human subjects are able to adapt to this new stimuli (which has qualitative significance, as it is related to a sense), and improve their ability at tasks which required the use of a sense similar to the artificial sensor used, as well as experience qualitative improvements in their ability to sense. The BrainPort used a camera to help improve those with impaired vision’s sense of sight, and the feelSpace belt used an artificial compass to help the blind with their navigation ability. This study aims to contribute to the small, but incredibly important body of research with an original device and investigation. I have created a belt capable of delivering haptic feedback to any one of 15 locations around itself, with adjustable strength. When coupled with a triple axis rotational acceleration sensing unit (gyrometer), the belt (henceforth referred to as the SenseBorg Belt) is able to provide tactile feedback in the direction in which the participant’s head is rotationally accelerating. This aims to approximate the sense of balance, as the semi-circular canals in the ear effectively sense rotational acceleration (amongst other things) , and thus to test whether the wearing of this belt can improve the wearer’s sense of balance, as the wearer begins to associate the haptic feedback with concepts of balance, and thus adjusts their motor skills to utilise this new data. This experiment will be conducted on those without impairments to their sense of balance in order to investigate whether the use of this artificial stimuli will improve their already existing vestibular functions through sensory substitution. If the experiment succeeds, there is a high chance that this apparatus would prove even more useful for those with vestibular impairments, like vertigo , and potentially even Parkinson’s postural sway .