Computer scientists at the University of Bath have unveiled a revolutionary touchscreen technology, DeformIO, that responds dynamically to finger pressure by becoming softer or stiffer.
The researchers say this innovation has the potential to transform user interaction with digital devices across various sectors, including commerce, communications, medicine and gaming.
Currently at the prototype stage, DeformIO is expected to require at least a decade of further development before it can be commercialised. Despite this, its creators view it as a groundbreaking step in touchscreen technology.
“You’d be directly manipulating a digital object the way you normally would a physical one,” explained James Nash, a computer-science postgraduate at Bath and the first author of a study describing the new technology. “Our screen allows users to perceive rich tactile feedback on a soft surface. It gives the same benefits as today’s glass-based screens – which allow you to control your device by moving your finger fluidly across the surface – but with the added benefit of a person being able to use force to interact with their device at a deeper level.”
Unlike earlier deformable displays that used movable touchscreen panels or rigid pins, DeformIO employs silicone combined with pneumatics and resistive sensing to detect pressure. This allows for a more continuous and natural movement across the screen surface.
Led by Professor Jason Alexander, who has been researching deformable screens for a decade, the team has developed a 25cm x 25cm prototype to explore various applications for DeformIO. These include gaming, medical training, automotive manufacturing, remote physical contact and digital maps.
The DeformIO display was introduced at CHI 2024, the leading international conference on Human-Computer Interaction and funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
