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

[@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.

[@RoadToSalvationX]

Wow great work, excited to see the impacts

[@Dcard_Tom]

Very suitable for instant Braille translation for the blind

[@di4352]

Yes, really rooting for this application.

[@mechadense]

Really cool with the screen atop👍

[@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.

[@yusufaras9066]

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

[@IlliaPogodin]

100% agree

[@davk]

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

[@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

[@pielovervi]

Nice! This looks pretty cool

[@petemoss3160]

wow, blister-pixels!

[@uvbe]

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

Extreme! Nice job!

[@VincentNacon]

Nice work! :D

[@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 ruclips.net/video/UJXLBqG9E_s/видео.html

[@Bianchi77]

Nice info, thanks :)

[@ikubarus.6966]

So much potential in the future

[@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.

[@riccardogianluigiterzaghi]

Amazing!

[@LandoTech]

Amazing

[@makingtechfriendlyindia]

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

[@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.

[@GiovanniServadei]

Wow!!

[@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

[@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

[@sebosp]

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

[@TankUp]

Did I dream myself a cuttlefish

[@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

[@Jandodev]

The flexible oled is 0.0

[@Mcneds]

What of using this for haptic touch for vr

[@muhammed_aksam]

They also published this paper ruclips.net/video/UJXLBqG9E_s/видео.html

[@joeillingworth1141]

I want to see a face in it lol

[@heyjoeway]

Hoooooooly shit.

[@user-rr9zq6mh2k]

😤

[@originalsmile670]

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

[@nayz-]

Amazing