According to an exemplary embodiment, a set of three-dimensional force sensors is used, distributed on one face of a support. Each sensor outputs signals representative of a force applied by an object on this sensor. An electronic processing unit determines components of forces applied on the sensors by the object and also output the relative tangential velocity of at least one point on the object that is in contact with one of the sensors and, advantageously the point at which the component of the force applied by the object on this sensor and normal to the face of the support, is a maximum.