When we hear the name Disney Research, we imagine a lab dedicated to developing better animatronics. But as you'll read below, the lab could completely change the way we use touchscreens.
In a new video, Disney Research presents a process it calls “rendering 3D tactile features on touch surfaces.” For the project, the researchers used a screen, electrical vibrations, and a new algorithm developed to allow the human hand to feel the texture of objects presented on the screen.
The algorithm maps the friction forces between the screen and the user's finger on the perimeter of the surface of the virtual 3D image displayed on the touch screen. This dynamic allows the system to adjust the sensations from the screen images on the fly.
The interaction screens will become the standard for smartphones, tablets and desktop computers. The design and the algorithm will convert visual content into believable tactile stimuli, which will provide huge possibilities for enriching the user's experience” said Ivan Poupyrev, head of the team working on the project at Disney Research.
