Perhaps one of the things people miss the most in modern smartphones is the physical keyboard. That’s why BlackBerry devices were so popular in the past: they offered a typing experience like no other. Well, researchers at the Future Interfaces Group have been working on a solution for the past 15 years and have taken it a significant step forward.
The technology, called Flat Panel Haptics, provides haptic feedback on a flat surface using inflatable buttons. The FPH has a thickness of 5 millimeters and incorporates a built-in electro-osmotic pump. Using an electric current to activate the tiny pumps, the fluid pushes on the surface of the flexible screen and creates a rigid button measuring 5 millimeters thick.
The FIG prototype shown in the video uses a soft silicone surface on top of the OLED panel, similar to that used in foldable smartphones today. Since the Surface inflates and deflates on demand, there are more practical implications beyond just physical keyboards. The display can inflate an app icon or a certain user interface element to help the visually impaired navigate. For example.
In the published paper, the researchers acknowledge several limitations of the technology. One of them is the poor durability of said buttons. The energy required to keep the system running and its thickness are an issue. So we could see the new technology implemented in tablets first, as they tend to be bulkier and have bigger batteries.
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