What is a device "VEST" that allows smartphones to convert ambient sounds into vibrations and listen to sounds with "tactile sensations"?

By neuroscientist David Eagleman who thought "Is there a new way to listen to sounds outside the ear?" By converting surrounding sound into vibration and conveying it to "skin" A device that makes it easier for people who do not hear ears to understand sound "Versatile Extra-Sensory Transducer (VEST)We have succeeded in developing and actually operating it.

A Device For The Deaf That Lets You "Listen" With Your Skin | Popular Science
http://www.popsci.com/device-that-lets-you-listen-with-your-skin

VEST is the best type device with 32 sensors and computers and smartphone microphones pick up sounds within about 6 meters to about 9 meters around. Sound picked up is broken down into specific frequencies, and when it is transmitted to VEST through Bluetooth, the sensor vibrates according to the frequency. At first it seems I do not know what vibration represents what, but as I practice my brain learns "what vibration is expressing what sound".


When Eagleman practiced VEST for the hearing impaired, the subject succeeded in recognizing the word through VEST. Mr. Eagleman and others said that they are aiming for a level that can understand even sentences and conversations in the end. In addition, it seems that it was earlier for children who were more thoughtable than adults to learn how to use VEST.

In the future Eagleman thinks that VEST can be deployed not only for the hearing impaired, but also for multiple occupations. Pilots and astronauts also use how to understand the state of airplanes and the International Space Station through vibration of VEST. Eagleman's startup "Neosensory" is planning to develop a different type of VEST according to the application, "There is infinite information that we can enter in VEST. Everyone can wear someday" The day will come when we can get it, "Eagleman says.


In addition, Mr. Eagleman presents the prototype of VEST with TED in 2015, and you can see how it actually moves from the following movie.

Can we create new senses for humans? | David Eagleman - YouTube