Researchers Develop New Tactile Technology That Could Enable a Pop-Up Keyboard on a Flat Smartphone Display

[wallinbl]

Other than a way to interact more with those with a visual impairment, this feels like a solution searching for a problem.

All these years later, I frequently miss the correct key on touchscreens phones, and it seems like autocorrect is aggressively getting worse.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

That looks so horrible to type on. I'll stick with Cherry Blues and Boxed Jades thank you

 

[Robert.Walter]

“…relatively slim at 5mm..”

relatively doing quite some heavy lifting here.

 

[ja']

i’ve been waiting for this for ten years. perhaps it’ll be another ten before it’s ready to ship, but i don’t mind. this would be so cool to have on iPhones!

 

[Crowbot]

Repairability score = 0

Um, screens are generally not repairable.

 

[Crowbot]

This could make those "bubble wrap" popping apps a lot more fun.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Everyone knows when something is expanded/shrunk/expanded/shrunk (braided solo loops anyone?) - they will stretch out and won't be the same.

Been wearing my braided solo loop since launch day of the iPhone 14 Pro and its as good as new.

 

[MacWiz_007]

Meh, I'd rather have some goggles and a battery to carry around in a fanny pack!

 

[Xangelkiller]

This seems like a technology that would have appealed in 2008-2010. We’re passed the need for this. With where mobile tech is going in the next few years (foldables, AR based wearables, and who knows what else), this feels like a new color horse carriage spoke before the introduction of the automobile.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

This seems like a technology that would have appealed in 2008-2010. We’re passed the need for this. With where mobile tech is going in the next few years (foldables, AR based wearables, and who knows what else), this feels like a new color horse carriage spoke before the introduction of the automobile.

There are still places where horse carriages are used though, Lancaster, PA for one.

 

[Nuno Lopes]

This would be nice if it provided nano texture on demand. Say to give an iPad a paper like feel for drawing with the pencil or hey reduce display reflections.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

This would be nice if it provided nano texture on demand. Say to give an iPad a paper like feel for drawing with the pencil or hey reduce display reflections.

Full on 24/7 nano texture would be better

 

[Mentat Bashar]

This reminds of something out of Dr. Who. 🙂

 

[danmaldesign]

Still better than Apple’s BUTTERFLY keyboard

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

This will never make it to a product that actually lands on the market ...But of course, I had said the same about foldable phones lol

"market".. I've never seen a folding phone IRL.

 

[dwaltwhit]

I am too dumb to understand. I would need a video demo.

 

[johnmarki]

Finally! I will have my dream of an Apple iBlackBerry. Well... probably not, but I can dream. 🤪

 

[johnmarki]

This could make those "bubble wrap" popping apps a lot more fun.

There will be an app for that. 🤣

 

[compwiz1202]

Squeeze Pimple, the new fun app.

Or perpetual bubble wrap app. I would be first in line.

 

[epox999]

One step Forward
Ten steps Back

Could be neat for interactive video walls or education or rehabilitation devices, but don't see the point on a smartphone.

 

[grjj]

I'd bet this makes it into sex toys before it gets put on any mobile computing device

 

[vegetassj4]

S'moresboard ....S'moregasboard...Marshmallow Masher?

 

[Razorpit]

To this day I believe this was what Apple was trying to push us to when the 2016 MBP was introduced with the new keys and the touch-bar. It was going to be a slow progression/transition, but this was there ultimate goal. In effect creating a MBP with two screens, one of which could function as a keyboard when needed.

 

[unQuestionable]

This was revealed at E3 in like 2011

 

[DailySlow]

Researchers in the Future Interfaces Group at Carnegie Mellon this week highlighted a breakthrough in display technology that could make future screens more tactile through raised haptics. As noted by TechCrunch, the Future Interfaces Group shared a video and a research paper demonstrating a display that can grow small, physical bumps that can be felt under the fingers.

The technology could be used for tactile notifications, a pop-up keyboard that feels different under the fingers than the standard screen, buttons that remain inflated until pressed, pop-up custom-shaped buttons for controlling system functions, and more. One of the concepts demonstrated includes a pop-up music interface that displays raised music controls for playback, while another features a button on a smartphone that pulses up and down until it's pressed.

Researchers developed a flat panel that's using miniaturized hydraulic pumps to raise the surface through fluid. Each pump is individually controllable and can be activated separately to create dynamic, tactile bumps in a compact form factor.

The hardware is self-contained, lightweight, relatively slim at 5mm, and able to withstand the force of a normal touchscreen interaction.

At the current time, this is emergent technology that's owned by Carnegie Mellon, but it isn't hard to imagine future smartphones that use this kind of functionality. Apple has adopted haptic vibrations for touch-based feedback that's used for notifications and other system feedback, but raised haptics would add another dimension to the display.

Apple could use this kind of technology for a device that folds flat but has a pop-out keyboard when in use, plus there are likely multiple accessibility use cases for those who have sight problems. It's impossible to say whether this is functionality that we will see in Apple devices in the future, but it is an interesting concept.

Article Link: Researchers Develop New Tactile Technology That Could Enable a Pop-Up Keyboard on a Flat Smartphone Display

Dunno if it's already been mentioned but I am thinking Braille! 5MM though is basically a fifth of an inch - it will need to be thinned down to make it to a phone.