FingerFlux system uses magnets to add tactile feedback to touchscreens

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We've seen a number of efforts that promise to make touchscreens more tactile, but none quite like this so-called FingerFlux system developed by a team of researchers from Germany's Aachen University. Its hook is a layer of magnets that lie beneath the touchscreen and react to a simple thimble that the user must wear. While that particular accoutrement could be considered a slight drawback, it does open up a number of interesting possibilities -- including the ability to draw your finger towards an item on the screen, and "lock" it in a certain area. What's particularly key, however, is that you're also able to feel a bit of feedback before you even touch the screen -- as opposed to other entirely screen-based options -- which could could let you operate something like media player controls without actually looking at your phone. Of course, it's all still a long ways from being shrunk down to phone-size, but the researchers do have a working prototype in a table-top device. Check it out in the video after the break.

Continue reading FingerFlux system uses magnets to add tactile feedback to touchscreens

FingerFlux system uses magnets to add tactile feedback to touchscreens originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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