Abstract: A multi-pad electrode for providing electrotactile stimulation to a user's hand includes activation pads configured to be individually electrically activated, wherein in use of the multi-pad electrode, the activation electrode pads are in contact with at least one of the palm, fingers, thumb and dorsum of the user; a return pad whose size is at least four times larger than that of each activation pad, wherein in use of the multi-pad electrode, the return pad is in contact with one of the palm, fingers, thumb and dorsum. A system for providing electrotactile stimulation to a user's hand includes a multi-pad electrode; and a device for eliciting tactile sensations in the user's hand, the device having: a pulse generator for generating electrical pulses for eliciting tactile sensations; and a switching unit for spatio-temporal routing a generated electrical stimulation pulse to a corresponding activation pad of the multi-pad electrode.