Ultrasound allows touchable field - Its also possible to focus complex patterns of ultrasound in such a way as to cause air disturbance. It is this property of ultrasound that the researchers have tapped to create 3D haptic shapes in mid-air -- users can feel those air disturbances on the skin. Moreover, those patterns can be formed into 3D shapes. This approach applies the principles of acoustic radiation force, whereby the non-linear effects of sound produce forces on the skin which are strong enough to generate tactile sensations. This mid-air haptic feedback eliminates the need for any attachment of actuators or contact with physical devices, the papers abstract reads. The user perceives a discernible haptic shape when the corresponding acoustic interference pattern is generated above a precisely controlled two-dimensional phased array of ultrasound transducers. What this means is that an array of ultrasound generators creates a variety of shapes -- such as cubes and spheres -- which the user can feel when they place their hand above the array. By itself, of course, it cant be seen -- but the team has used a container of oil to show how the shapes work. In the video below, you can see the array directed at the oil, creating a variety of shapes. This is what the team means when they say the haptics can be seen. cnet/news/ultrasound-creates-a-haptic-shape-that-can-be-seen-and-felt/#ftag=YHF65cbda0
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:58:50 +0000