HAPTIC TECHNOLOGYWhat Does The Future Hold For Touch?

Sam McDaniel

MKTG 7546

WHAT IS MY TREND?

While Haptics have been around for decades, there is a recent push and resurgence in the technology.

The trend is driven by consumers’ desire to have a more real and a better user experience with products.

The trend is evolving as haptics become more efficient and frankly, better. New iterations of the technology are pushing the horizon of its uses and feasible applications.

SO WHAT ARE HAPTICS?

From the Greeks Tactile Feedback

Technology which takes advantage of the sense of touch by applying various motions to users.

Described as “doing for touch what computer graphics did for vision.

Scope of the industry Gaming Medical Computers Phones

Example of Haptics

1950s – Teleoperators

Examples of Haptics

1970s – Video Games

Examples of Haptics

Today

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

CURRENT APPLICATIONS

Electronic E-paper Reader “Magic” Touch Screen Vibrating Tattoos

ELECTRONIC E-PAPER READER

More durable and damage resistant than traditional glass readers.

6 in. display with the ability to bend 40 degrees.

Closer to traditional paper than current readers.

ELECTRONIC E-PAPER READER

Important next step in the way people get news and entertainment.

If done right, this could be a nice segue into digital paper books.

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“MAGIC” TOUCH SCREEN

With feelscreen product, users can feel textures, contours, edges, etc.

“Tixels” are layered in under the screen to allow control over the feel of images.

Uses electrostatic attraction to create friction vs. the traditional moving part in other haptic forms.

“MAGIC” TOUCH SCREEN

Future possibilities of this iteration are endless.

Real “game changer” impact. Of my three cases, this has the most

immediate commercial applications in my opinion.

VIBRATING TATTOOS

Tattoo is created using ferromagnetic ink.

Depending on notification, tattoo will vibrate differently.

Allow users to feel when they have a call, etc. in a variety of settings.

VIBRATING TATTOOS

FUTURE USE #1

FUTURE USE #2

INTERVIEWER RESULTS

INTERVIEWER RESULTS - HIGHLIGHTS

Now a standard option

Customer needs

Long term growth

Changes in Business Landscape

Competitive Advantage

Future Iterations

MY PERSONAL TAKEAWAYS

Need for the technology is apparent.

Amazement at the ability for multiple devices to allow the exact same user experience.

Differentiation by companies will only accelerate. Apple vs. Others

Potential for haptics to enter new markets and industries is immense.

IN CONCLUSION

Recent resurgence in haptics is directly tied to consumers desire to have more personable and more integrated experiences.

Future looks bright as people, businesses, and industries change the way they operate.

Focus is now on differentiation of the users’ experience