Not content with seeing everything in fancy 3D at the cinema, on your computer or sat in front of the TV? If so, you may be interested to learn that scientists are hard at working developing actual interfaces you can feel.
The technology, which is known as Revel, is being developed by a research development section of Disney. When it works, the technology will bring home computing to a whole new level, allowing the actual textures of images etc to be simulated when using devices with touch-screen controls.
Sounds like something off Star Trek, doesn’t it?
How Does This Magical Tech Work?
Perhaps slightly scarily, the technique employed by Disney’s Revel technology doesn’t involve any additional items like fancy sci-fi gloves. Instead the augmented reality feeling is generated by introducing a low-level electrical signal to the human touching a device, creating an ‘oscillating electrostatic field around the skin’.
Presumably through some form of wizardry, this low electrical signal can then be used to transform an image on a touch-screen from a static thing you look at into a real-feeling object. For example, if you touched an animal’s fur, it’s likely the soft texture and slight friction generated by two objects rubbing together could be replicated by the Revel technology.
"The user becomes the carrier of the tactile signal at all times," states a paper on the theory, by computer scientist Olivier Bau and his team. "The world and objects remain passive, requiring no instrumentation with additional technology. Therefore, this technology potentially allows for the creation of truly ubiquitous tactile interfaces that can be used anywhere and anytime."
This very science-y speech is, at its most basic level, saying the Revel technology can work with existing computers and could be implemented into our daily lives pretty easily.
Changing the World with Touch
If implemented into touch-screens officially in the home market, Revel really could transform the way a user interacts with websites, gaming and even the very world we live in!
From Disney’s standpoint, including touch-screen feel technology would open up a significant amount of options for kids interacting with television programs. It’s not hard to see modern homes of the future having kids interact directly with a touch-screen, complete with real feelings of texture, friction and depth thanks to 3D technology. It could also easily be used in educational games, increasing the immersion of the player.
These games could actually be used with those with disabilities to help them enjoy their experience as they learn to express themselves using touch. The possibilities for gaming and learning are truly outstanding, and Revel could have massive benefits going forward.
Outside of potential scientific benefits, Disney also sees massive potential for the device to impact our day-to-day lives. The Revel device is actually only five-centimetres in size, and consists of a Bluetooth antenna, microprocessor, a digital-to-analogue convertor and a transistor for amplification. This essentially means that – due to the non-obtrusive size of the device – it can be placed almost anywhere. This includes in the soles of shoes (which would allow constant interaction with touch-interfaces or feeling grass under your feet when walking on a street) and on chairs (where the technology would be used to create touch hot-spots where users could come to interact with Revel technology).
But there’s more! Disney’s also hoping that Revel will be used in all kinds of different installations, including:
- Feeling paintings – instead of simply feeling rough contusions and paint, the images portrayed in a painting could actually be brought to life, replicating their real-life textures. Unless it’s a picture of an alien. We’re not sure what they feel like yet, so we’d probably have to substitute it for something like marshmallow.
- In museums – ever looked at something in a cabinet and wondered what it could feel like? By using Revel, the case itself could be given textures like the object inside. Not only does this enhance the learning experience, but it also makes sure nothing gets broken!
- Advertising – imagine bus stops with touchy-feely interfaces. Andrex puppy look cute? Reach out and give it a stroke. The possibilities are literally endless.
- Identification – Disney cites that the technology could be even used to give books unique textures, helping them to found in libraries!
We’re sure there are plenty of other potential applications for Revel in the future, but make sure you keep an eye on this exciting piece of technology as it’s certainly something we can see being implemented into our computer systems in the future.
"Sight and sound are important, but we believe the addition of touch can create a really unique and magical experience," says Bau. "Instead of making objects and devices simulate tactile effect, we are changing your feeling of the real world. We are altering human perception. The rest of the world remains passive."
