Investigation of the touch sensitivity of ER fluid based tactile display

Liu, Y; Davidson, R; Taylor, P

doi:10.1117/12.598713

Investigation of the touch sensitivity of ER fluid based tactile display

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Yanju Liu, Robert Davidson, Emeritus Professor Paul Taylor

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Abstract

A tactile display is programmable device whose controlled surface is intended to be investigated by human touch. It has a great number of potential applications in the field of virtual reality and elsewhere. In this research, a 5×5 touch sensitive tactile display array including electrorheological (ER) fluid has been developed and investigated. Experimental results show that the sensed surface information could be controlled effectively by adjusting the voltage activation pattern imposed on the tactels. In the meantime, it is possible to sense the touching force normal to the display's surface by monitoring the change of current passing through the ER fluid. These encouraging results are helpful for constructing a new type of tactile display based on ER fluid which can act as both sensor and actuator at the same time.