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An undeniable fact is that modern smartphones no longer possess any physical keys. And that is also one of the things users remember most about a phone from the 19th and 20th centuries, the excellent typing experience that a touchscreen cannot deliver.
Icons on the new OLED display can now inflate and deflate, adding a dynamic element to the user interface.About a decade ago, BlackBerry devices enchanted users with an incomparable typing experience. Researchers from the Future Interfaces Group (FIG) have been exploring a solution for the past 15 years, and they have achieved a significant breakthrough.
The inflatable keyboard creates a tactile sensation similar to a physical keyboard, revolutionizing the typing experience.Introducing the technology known as Flat Panel Haptics (FPH), providing tactile feedback on a flat surface, such as an OLED screen, using inflatable buttons beneath. FPH has a thickness of 5 mm and integrates with Electrostatically-Enhanced Oil Pumps (EEOP). Subsequently, it utilizes electrical currents to activate small pumps, flexibly pushing fluid onto the screen's surface, creating a versatile 'hard button' with a maximum thickness of 5 mm.
A soft silicon layer is placed on top to ensure elasticity.FIG has published a paper and a video showcasing the exciting capabilities of this intriguing prototype. The soft silicon surface is placed closely above the OLED display, similar to the surface used in today's foldable smartphones.
Because the surface can inflate and deflate as needed, it offers practical applications beyond just being a physical keyboard. Imagine a screen that can swell into an app icon or a distinctive identifier for a specific user group.
Flat Panel Haptics with a 5 mm thickness.The paper also highlights some challenges that this technology has yet to overcome, including the poor durability of the mentioned buttons, the energy required to sustain system operations, and concerns about its 5 mm thickness.
Hence, we can see that deploying the new technology on is the optimal step forward, rather than limiting it to smartphones. Tablets provide enough space to implement this technology, along with a large enough battery to ensure smooth operations.
Explore more: BOE plans to construct a new OLED screen manufacturing plant in Vietnam by 2025It can be said that FIG is an intriguing and practical technology with high practicality, promising innovation in the future beyond foldable phones.
