Tech gets physical

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-features/63829-mobile-tactile-tech-gets-physical

Tactus Technology is showcasing its next-gen mobile tactile tech at SID Display Week 2012 in Boston.



Essentially, Tactus has created a Tactile Layer component that generates a haptic user interface (UI) with real physical buttons, guidelines, and shapes which rise out of the surface from any touchscreen.



A Tactus spokesperson told TG Daily that its layer panel is the "world’s first" deformable tactile surface capable of creating dynamic physical buttons that users can actually see and feel in advance of entering data into the device. 

So how does it work?

Well, Tactus uses microfluidic technology to create physical buttons that rise from the touchscreen to give users the experience or feeling of operating a physical keyboard. When no longer needed, the buttons recede back into the touchscreen, leaving no trace of their presence.

The Tactile Layer panel is a completely flat, transparent, dynamic surface that adds no extra thickness to the standard touchscreen display since it replaces a layer of the already existing display stack.

When triggered, the thin layer deforms and buttons or shapes of a specific height, size and firmness appear on the surface of the screen. Users can feel, press down and interact with these physical buttons just like they would use keys on a keyboard. 



Tactus Technology expects its Tactile Layer to help power a new generation of smartphone, tablets, ebook readers, gaming devices and automotive displays.

Good idea or not?

 

[Jazzy]

Great idea. A flat touch screen with buttons that pop up when needed! Truly awesome!

 

[Darth-Apple]

I'd be very surprised if it weren't vulnerable to breakages or wear-and-tear over significant use. This seems like a pretty interesting idea though.

 

[Enter Username Here]

If you break that sh*t gonna be expensive.

 

[Evil Eye]

Seems pretty cool.

I'd be very surprised if it weren't vulnerable to breakages or wear-and-tear over significant use.

Yeah, probably.