Tanvas has an intriguing demo at CES 2017, where it shows off surface haptics technology allowing one to feel the texture of different materials through a touchscreen.
Seen in the shape of a repurposed Nexus 9 tablet, TanvasTouch technology simulated a number of surfaces, including wood, cobblestone and grass. Another demo allows one to drag their finger through a virtual pool with a pebble floor, and a partnership with apparel maker Bonobos offers the chance to check the difference between cotton and corduroy fabrics by rubbing the touchscreen.
How does Tanvas touchscreens work? Reportedly the result of 10 years of research at Nortwestern University, the technology involves “real-time control of the electrical forces between your fingertip and the touch surfaces.” Essentially the display has a TanvasTouch layer on top of the touchscreen acting as an electromagnet. The magnet physically pulls the tips of users' finger as they move across the screen, creating a "sense" of touch.
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