Innovation

New 3D-screen Microsoft allows to "feel" the image

A Microsoft-funded research project has led to advances that allow the user to feel the surface of objects displayed on a screen.

So far so sci-fi, but how is this achieved? The answer is haptic technology - haptics simulate the sense of touch through tactile feedback. You can find haptic technology in smartphones already, that little vibration (or force feedback) you feel after pressing buttons - it's like a personal finger massage....

The research was carried out on a system that consisted of a touchscreen with a robot arm, engineered for instant, sensitive responsiveness. By moving a finger on the screen, the user could interact with different onscreen 3D objects and materials. For instance blocks made out of stone feel hard to the touch and require more force to move, while a sponge block possesses softer properties and is easier to push.