Disney takes tactile tech outside the screen
03 September 2012
Disney Research is continuing to forge into touch technology research, unveiling a wearable tactile technology that can transform how everyday objects feel to the user. REVEL, based on a technique called Reverse Electrovibration, injects a weak electrical signal into the wearer’s body to create an oscillating electrical field around their skin.
The technique creates highly distinctive tactile textures on everyday objects and can be used with touch devices for tactile responses appropriate to content displayed on the screen.
Disney claims the mobile, wearable system is inexpensive and moots potential applications including personalised content on public touch displays and tactile direction hints for visually impaired people.
REVEL technology was developed by Olivier Bau and Ivan Poupyrev, in collaboration with Mathieu Le Goc.