Researchers from the Future Interfaces Group (FIG) at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new display technology that can create pop-up screen areas with different configurations to add a new tactile dimension to touchscreen devices.
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The “Flat Panel Haptics” technology, which is thinner, lighter and more versatile than previous versions, can be stacked under an OLED panel to create the protrusions. The researchers envision that this technology could make typing, playing games and finding onscreen elements by touch alone much less frustrating.
The technology uses Embedded Electroosmotic Pumps (EEOPs) which are arrays of fluid pumps built into a touchscreen device. When an onscreen element requires a pop-up button, fluid fills a section of the EEOP layer, and the OLED panel on top bends to take that shape. The result is a “button” that sticks out from the flat surface by as much as 1.5 mm, enough to feel the difference. The team says filling each area takes about one second, and they feel solid to touch.
While this technology may remind some of Tactus’ rising touchscreen keyboard, the FIG’s prototype can take on more dynamic shapes and sizes, and the research team says their version’s thinness sets it apart from similar attempts. Additionally, the technology is self-contained, powered only by a pair of electrical cables and control electronics, and lightweight.
The researchers see this as a tactile equivalent to the way pixels work on displays, and if they can eventually apply the same principle to a layer with more/smaller pop-up buttons, it could open new doors for user interaction, including easier onscreen typing, gaming, in-car controls, and even accessibility features like onscreen braille.
The pop-up buttons in their current form have a limited scope of shapes and sizes, reducing their versatility. However, this technology is a significant step forward in creating more realistic and interactive user experiences. The possibilities for the technology are vast, and if it can be refined to be more versatile, it could revolutionize how users interact with their touchscreen devices.
