Disney Developing 3D Touch Feedback Technology

[BlameTheWizards]

Disney Developing 3D Touch Feedback Technology



The ability to feel an image on a touchscreen may be here sooner than you think, and its all thanks to Mickey Mouse.

A Pittsburgh-based team for Disney Research has released video of a new project which can add tactile sensations to flat touchscreens, like those on most tablets and smartphones. The user will be able to feel the flat image as if it were a three-dimensional object, according to Disney Research. The technology used in the project is based around the discovery that fingertips perceive physical textures via friction stretching and compressing the skin.

An algorithm developed by the researchers "can create a perception of a 3D bump on a touch surface without having to physically move the surface," according to a Disney Research press release. "Our brain perceives the 3D bump on a surface mostly from information that it receives via skin stretching," said Ivan Poupyrev, the director of Disney Research, Pittsburgh's Interaction Group, via the press release. "Therefore, if we can artificially stretch skin on a finger as it slides on the touch screen, the brain will be fooled into thinking an actual physical bump is on a touch screen even though the touch surface is completely smooth."

The algorithm can generate tactile qualities such as bumps, ridges and edges, according to a project video, which can be seen above. The video suggests that among the uses for the technology are creating topographical features on map programs, so that users can "feel" the terrain of a region. The official site also states that the team used "Kinect-like sensors" to create depth-maps of the objects to be displayed on their screens.


Source: Disney Research via <a href=http://www.polygon.com/2013/10/11/4827686/disney-research-adds-3d-sensations-to-flat-touchscreens>Polygon


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[Bazaalmon]

This sounds really cool, although I'm skeptical as to its actual effectiveness. I'm betting the first try will be able to replicate only a few specific feelings, but it'll be a while until full tactile feedback is really a thing. Also, how expensive will this be?

 

[Agayek]

Meh. This is cool and all, but it's not quite as awesome as the UltraHaptics [http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/07/forcefield-computer-hand-movements-haptic-bristol-minority-report] thing that sprang up a few days ago.

Man... is it just me, or is "the future", like, right around the corner or something?

 

[cjbos81]

The pornographic implications are limitless.

 

[Ldude893]

I always imagined what living in a science fiction world would be like. Now I know.

Soon, we'll be having interactive holograms within 5 years.

 

[loa]

So they shoot electricity through your fingers?
Oh dear.

 

[Ace Morologist]

The first guy who figures out how to use this (assuming it works) to simulate a skin texture and licenses it to every porn provider ever will win the Internet.

We're talking truly interactive porn, people. The actual future, not that Star Trek hippie peace and exploration bull crap.

--Morology!

 

[Ace Morologist]

Jeez, that felt cynical even as I typed it.

 

[Rad Party God]

I can't wait for the possibilities of porn using this thing!

 

[MrMixelPixel]

Well the possibilities of porn have been discussed. That's good. Everyone was thinking it anyway. I think this has a lot of cool potential (not just the porn parts, either).

However, I'm just curious, would it be possible to cause pain with the same technology? Like perhaps a really sharp feeling? Not trying to be cynical or anything, just honestly curious.

 

[Strazdas]

So, yea,h how exactly are they going to stimulate the streching of the texture? you woudl still need to physically alter the surface for that. i dont see this working practically outside of laboratory conditions.

However, I'm just curious, would it be possible to cause pain with the same technology? Like perhaps a really sharp feeling? Not trying to be cynical or anything, just honestly curious.

You know electric lighters? pick them apart, take the battery out and try to ignite it with your finger pressed up to it and you will find out. Its not harmful, but its painful. how painful and how harmful it can be done dependso n how much current they allow though the screen.