a hand operated tactile device including a tactile body positionable in a hand of a user . the tactile body includes at least one articulated member movable relative to the remainder of the body in a manual operation phase with the user manipulating the articulated member relative to the remainder of the body and in an automatic operation phase with the articulated member being manipulated relative to the remainder of the body and the hand of the user . a control system is carried by the body . the control system receives a first signal from the articulated member when the articulated member is manually manipulated by the user and control system generates a second signal controlling movement of the articulated member to automatically move the articulated member relative to the remainder of the body and the hand of the user .