Flat Panel Haptics: Embedded Electroosmotic Pumps for Scalable Shape Displays

We present a new, miniaturizable type of shape-changing display using embedded electroosmotic pumps (EEOPs). Our pumps, controlled and powered directly by applied voltage, are 1.5mm in thickness, and allow complete stackups under 5mm. Nonetheless, they can move their entire volume's worth of fluid in 1 second, and generate pressures of +/-50kPa, enough to create dynamic, millimeter-scale tactile features on a surface that can withstand typical interaction forces. These are the requisite technical ingredients to enable, for example, a pop-up keyboard on a flat smartphone. We experimentally quantify the mechanical and psychophysical performance of our displays and conclude with a set of example interfaces.
Citation:
Shultz, Craig and Harrison, Chris. 2023. Flat Panel Haptics: Embedded Electroosmotic Pumps for Scalable Shape Displays. To appear in Proceedings of the 41st Annual SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (April 23 - 30, 2023). CHI '23. ACM, New York, NY.

[@dl33]

Imho the keyboard demo might have real potential, because this 3d haptic feedback is the key difference between a physical and a virtual keyboard

[@SpaceMissile]

the _key_ difference, you say?

[@Dcard_Tom]

Very suitable for instant Braille translation for the blind

[@di4352]

Yes, really rooting for this application.

[@LDTV22OfficialChannel]

Agreed big time

[@StothaD37]

Get this in front of Car manufacturers!! There's a big hubhub these days about bringing back physical buttons, but I love my CarPlay --- if you could get this to work with that.... OMG You'll be rich and I'll send you my money!!!

[@Martin-kn1cn]

What an amazing idea. Didn’t think about that one. Genius

[@yakut9876]

I love physical things, they are not like iPads and screens that attract attention and hurt the eyes.

[@yusufaras9066]

technology amaze me day by day. this idea works pretty well at cars for better concentration while driving safely.

[@IlliaPogodin]

100% agree

[@mechadense]

Really cool with the screen atop👍

[@rackneh]

I WAS WONDERING IF THIS WAS POSSIBLE. I WILL BE ORDERING FROM YOU FOR NEAR FUTURE DIY PROJECTS

[@pielovervi]

Any chance this could be used for a Braille computer interface?

[@shultzy055]

Yes! That is exactly one of the use case we envisioned.

[@MartinRies]

my firsth thought as well. On the other hand, for blind users, the display is less relevant, so a mechanic design without liquids or membranes could be more durable (e.g. a solenoid array (small metal pins inside coilds, being moved up/down). Some solutions already exist. But for hybrid usage this would be great! the main benefit is likely the haptic feedback and the possibility to place the fingers accordingly , e.g. for a keyboard.

[@lummsmusik3219]

I see a big potential in live played music synthesizers and similar equipment like sequencers. Most live playing musicians try to avoid gear with touchscreens because they have to control the music in real-time and can’t look and touch at multiple displays at the same time. They prefer real knobs which are operable with no looking. So this technology could be a game changer in the music branch.

[@m19710310]

@@lummsmusik3219 Then why to use this complicated one when there is a physical solution already...

[@m19710310]

@@Martin-kn1cn hmmmm ... maybe you are right

[@vadiks20032]

this is very useful for keyboard in my opinion and for blind people and braile writing system. i am surprised i haven't seen real phones with this technology in the market yet.

[@davk]

Good job guys! Can't wait to see this in action!

[@RoadToSalvationX]

Wow great work, excited to see the impacts

[@nathanbarraud4349]

That is amazing !!!! Well done !

[@uvbe]

Exciting technology! Hope to see it used in cool ways :)

[@pielovervi]

Nice! This looks pretty cool

[@MINEFROTRESS]

I STUMBLED ONTO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL!

Extreme! Nice job!

[@ikubarus.6966]

So much potential in the future

[@Mhvgom]

Wow! Imagine this on VR gloves for simulating tatile actions. This is insane!

[@Aztonio]

They already things like that by a way or another but thing thing in particular in especially thin finally for screen themselves.

[@sgmc420]

they made a video about it 5 months after your comment ahahah kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3u7fXWnfJ54ldU

[@littlepiggames]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3u7fXWnfJ54ldU

[@onem0repixel]

That's so cool. I really thought it was a Braille tech at first, but it can sur be used for everything !!! :o This with future advanced foldable screens, it can be crazy

[@petemoss3160]

wow, blister-pixels!

[@VincentNacon]

Nice work! :D

[@yakut9876]

There is a very wonderful technology called microfluidic or nanofluid, which includes valves, pumps, and very small channels that can control the flow of fluid. It would be very exciting to use this technology to control instead of complex electronics.

[@RixtronixLAB]

Nice info, thanks :)

[@riccardogianluigiterzaghi]

Amazing!

[@kircherjoseph]

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE... you guys need a janitor? lol

[@personacallida101]

If it’s possible to make this system flexible, this might make VR tactile haptics extremely easy to make compared to the current systems.

[@Martin-kn1cn]

Knowing humans this will somehow be used for porn

[@worobaaer7010]

😂😂😂😂

[@lanchesternaanyane]

Can something like this be used to prevent bed sores? I can see it being like a mattress in hospitals

[@makingtechfriendlyindia]

What an excellent tech for blind people. Imagine being able to use to use the phone like a braille reader.

[@goodgremlinmedia2757]

If the silicone were colored, the buttons should turn white when they rise up due to stretching. That would be sick

[@xingx355]

amazing work what is the smallest functioning size of a chamber that can be created currently?

[@shultzy055]

Hi, we show in the paper that we can get down to 2mm diameter

[@rohitranit9429]

Can we use this in reverse? I mean not for feedback but for touch sensing like a tactile sensor.

[@LandoTech]

Amazing

[@TankUp]

Did I dream myself a cuttlefish

[@sebosp]

Are there any prototypes one can acquire for creating assistive technology devices?

[@rom-ps2uo]

PLEASE TELL ME HOW CAN I SUPPORT THIS TO BE IN EVERY DAY TO DAY LIFE PLEASE TELL ME

[@timeTegus]

do you think this would work as a haptic suit for vr for fingers or for the body

[@BS-dk8lh]

Brilliant! When will be this available?

[@timeTegus]

this is reseach and not a product

[@GiovanniServadei]

Wow!!

[@Mcneds]

What of using this for haptic touch for vr

[@muhammed_aksam]

They also published this paper kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3u7fXWnfJ54ldU

[@Jandodev]

The flexible oled is 0.0

[@kab113]

99999999 missed calls from Apple

[@TheJroddude]

Why are we all here… scratching an itch, yess?

[@slimeme64]

Wasnt nintendo working on patents for this kinda thing? maybe itll be the new gimmick

[@joeillingworth1141]

I want to see a face in it lol

[@heyjoeway]

Hoooooooly shit.

[@H_A_Real_Human]

Braille, blind people language

[@иванпавлочь]

😤

[@originalsmile670]

That’s weird. Never gonna use this on any device.

[@nayz-]

Amazing