Haptic Soft Buttons Speak(er) to Your Sense of Touch
1 min read
Summary
Researchers from the Interactive Display Lab at the University of Illinois have developed a way to use off-the-shelf parts to create a haptic system that gives the user a tactile sensation when using a touch screen.
Called a “hapticoil”, the system uses a simple microspeaker connected to a silicone membrane that can be shaped into a button of any form.
When the user presses the membrane, the speaker hydraulically produces pressure through a water connection, causing the button to “click” and giving the user tactile feedback.
The system can be used on any device with a screen, such as VR gloves, a stylus or a remote control, and the team has made the electronics component information available online.
