The Effects of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Glove Pressure on Tactility

• Published in: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. 1385 - 1388
• Main Authors: Thompson, Shelby, Mesloh, Miranda, England, Scott, Benson, Elizabeth, Rajulu, Sudhakar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2011
• ISSN: 1541-9312
• DOI: 10.1177/1071181311551288

The purpose of the current study was to quantify finger tactility while wearing a Phase VI Extravehicular Activity (EVA) glove. Subjects were fully suited in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) suit. Data was collected under three conditions: bare-handed, gloved at 0 psid, and gloved at 4.3 psid. To test tactility, a series of 30 tactile stimuli (bumps) were created that varied in both height and width. With the hand obscured, subjects applied pressure to each bump until detected tactilely. The amount of force needed to detect each bump was recorded using load cells located under a force plate. Results showed that amount of force needed to detect a bump was positively related to width, but inversely related to height. In addition, as the psi of the glove increased, more force was needed to detect the bump. In terms of application, it was possible to determine the optimal width and height a bump needs to be for a specific amount of force applied for tactility.