Disney Researchers Develop Technology That Lets Users Feel Bumps and Textures on Touchscreeens
Posted on October 9, 2013
Disney researchers have developed technology that lets users feel textures on a touchscreen. Disney says the technology involves the use of a tactile rendering algorithm that simulates rich geometric features. Disney says that when a person slides a finger over an object on the touch surface the surface variations are sensed by friction-sensitive mechanoreceptors in the skin. This would enable users to "feel" -through friction - features like bumps, ridges, edges, protrusions and texture.
Ivan Poupyrev, director of Disney Research Pittsburgh's Interaction Group, said in a statement, "Our brain perceives the 3D bump on a surface mostly from information that it receives via skin stretching. Therefore, if we can artificially stretch skin on a finger as it slides on the touch screen, the brain will be fooled into thinking an actual physical bump is on a touch screen even though the touch surface is completely smooth."
Disney released a video showing users feeling a touchscreen pineapple, jellyfish, maps, cactus and more. Take a look: