SimpleThimble: An Open Source Platform for Wearable Haptics

This paper introduces the SimpleThimble, an open-source project designed to support the development of wearable haptic applications. We detail the device’s mechanical and electronic design, provide step-by-step assembly instructions, and explore its role as a possible educational tool. Additionally, we present four software applications that allow users to interact with virtual environments, tailored to different use cases and levels of development expertise. All CAD files, bill of materials, and software are available on the project website. Furthermore, this work shares insights from students who assembled the device as part of short, pilot academic courses at both the Master’s and PhD levels. A post-course questionnaire provided initial insights into students’ perceptions of the platform as a learning tool, revealing minimal differences between the two student groups despite their background. In addition, a public demonstration with 46 non-expert participants confirmed the device’s accessibility and ease of assembly, while a comparative study with a commercial wearable haptic device showed comparable comparable user-perceived feedback quality for the tested interaction task. Together, these results demonstrate the SimpleThimble educational value, usability, and potential as an open platform for haptic learning and research.