February 24, 2014
Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Fujitsu Develops Prototype Haptic Sensory Tablet
Flat screen offers realistic tactile sensation
Tokyo and Kawasaki, Japan, February 24, 2014 — Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. announced development of a prototype tablet with a touchscreen that conveys a sense of slipperiness or roughness depending on the image being displayed. This new haptic, or tactile, sensory technology was developed by Fujitsu Laboratories.
While technologies already exist that convey texture by vibrating the touchscreen display panel itself or by generating static electricity, Fujitsu Laboratories has developed the industry's first technology to use ultrasonic vibrations to convey tactile sensations by varying the friction between the touchscreen display and the user's finger. This technology enables tactile sensations – either smooth or rough, which had until now been difficult to achieve – right on the touchscreen display. Users can enjoy realistic tactile sensations as they are applied to images of objects displayed on the screen.
Fujitsu will be exhibiting and demonstrating the prototype at the Fujitsu booth in Hall 5 at Mobile World Congress 2014, running February 24–27 in Barcelona.
The prototype tablet with haptic sensory technology
Background
As the market for smartphones and tablets reaches maturity, customer priorities in terms of value are shifting away from specifications and functionality toward features that appeal to our senses and emotions, such as comfort and enjoyment. The Fujitsu Group has long worked toward developing products with a high degree of sensory value, primarily with technologies that offer enhanced visual and auditory features through the company's "Human Centric Engine" equipped on its smart devices. Now, by adding this tactile sensation feature, Fujitsu is offering customers a totally original experience that breaks new ground in usability and sensory expressiveness.
About the New Technology
Fujitsu Laboratories has developed the following tactile technologies.
1. Mimicking an unprecedented realistic sensation of slipperiness
Inducing an ultrasonic vibration on the surface of the touchscreen display creates a high-pressure layer of air between the screen's surface and one's fingertip, which has the effect of reducing friction, creating a floating effect. Taking advantage of this phenomenon makes it possible to create a slippery sensation on a touchscreen display that had been previously difficult to achieve. While vibrations in the ultrasonic band require a significant amount of energy, Fujitsu has developed a technology that induces vibrations efficiently at mobile device sizes, and successfully produced a prototype that creates these tactile sensations.
2. A technology that creates a sensory illusion of bumpiness and roughness
By rapidly cycling between high and low friction in response to touch information on the panel and the screen's display information, this technology can generate a tactile illusion that the screen is bumpy or rough. The combination of tactile information, visual information from the display, and audio information from the speakers enriches the user experience.
About the Prototype
This technology has been miniaturized and equipped on a prototype tablet which will be exhibited at Mobile World Congress 2014. Visitors can experience for themselves the tablet's tactile sensations, as well its visual and audio features, in the following four demonstrations.
- Japanese harp: Offers users the sensation of plucking the strings of a koto, a traditional Japanese harp.
- DJ: Mimics the sensation of moving a CD placed on a mixing deck, and using volume and other controls that feel as if they are sticking out.
- Vault: Gives auditory and tactile feedback as users rotate a combination lock to open a vault.
- Alligator: Touching the image of an alligator on screen will convey the sensation of the skin texture appropriate to the place being touched.
Future Plans
By enabling more realistic and intuitive operability, the tactile sensory technology in this prototype has wide-ranging potential applications, including for electronic product catalogs, on tablets and other devices, as well as potential applications for a variety of services. Fujitsu and Fujitsu Laboratories are continuing with R&D to extend the range of tactile expressiveness, with the goal of commercialization in fiscal 2015.
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 170,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.4 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.
About Fujitsu Laboratories
Founded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. is one of the premier research centers in the world. With a global network of laboratories in Japan, China, the United States and Europe, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Next-generation Services, Computer Servers, Networks, Electronic Devices and Advanced Materials. For more information, please see: http://jp.fujitsu.com/labs/en.
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