A tactile sensing transducer provides as its output a skin deformation
signal for storage or transmission to a tactile stimulation display
transducer. A skin surface imaging means operating optically,
acoustically or otherwise is positioned for viewing and providing an
output image signal corresponding to said deformed skin surface. An
electronic processing means connected to said imaging means provides an
output skin deformation signal corresponding to the deformation of said
skin. The display transducer may incorporate a plurality of individually
actuatable, bendable cantilevered arms mounted in line on a base support,
each of the arms having tip ends which are displaceable, upon actuation,
to provide a tactile display.