REVEL touch tech gives almost any object a virtual texture
Disney researchers use a tiny electrical charge in your body to fool your fingers into feeling textures that aren’t there
Researchers at Disney have come up with a novel way to create “virtual textures” on objects – in other words, fooling your fingers into feeling materials and surfaces that aren’t really there.
REVEL works by generating an electrical charge in your body (don’t worry, it’s not large enough to generate any discomfort); when you touch a conductive object that shares the same ground as you, the charge is modulated by REVEL to create a sensation in your fingertips. That conductive object could be a tablet or phone screen, but also everyday objects – as long as they can conduct the charge, they’re compatible.
The system can make you feel almost any conceivable texture – rough, smooth, rubbery, grooves, geometric patterns – and could find good use in museums, galleries, video games and a host of other situations. Check out the video for a more in-depth explanation of how it works:
[via The Verge]
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