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SPOTLIGHT
GPS on a smartphone and vibrates to indicate the direction to take. You target the step beyond; in other words, you aim to receive information automatically without having to find it on a touch screen.
How do Novasentis actuators make a difference?
F. J. – They make the product move locally, on its surface, for example, and can vibrate at any frequency, even lower than traditional actuators. For example, we can go from an electric toothbrush that vibrates all over, from top to bottom, to one where just the head moves proportionally to the surface with which it’s in contact (tooth or gum). “It’s like switching from a sledgehammer to a pin”.
Can you give an example of an existing product?
F. J. – A classic example is the video game joystick. Local vibrations refine the player’s experience and make it more realistic, and the variation in frequencies provide subtle feedback on impacts experienced during the game. Take a game of pool, for example, where the force applied to the ball differs dramatically depending on whether you want to smash it into a pocket or knock it gently. In the context of this difference, our actuators offer a range of nuances that make the virtual experience more realistic. ■
FICTION 3.0: 2030, AUGMENTED DAILY LIFE
Paul is walking in the street, wearing his smart glasses and gloves. He feels a vibration near
his right eye and a message indicator appears on
the lens. Paul stops and taps at an invisible keyboard. It’s nothing out of the ordinary: He’s just replying
to Sophie via the pop-up screen, which he also sees on his glasses, and feels the keys via vibrations on his fingertips. That’s it – the message has been sent! They’ve arranged to meet in the restaurant
in 15 minutes.
Once there, they order from virtual menus, where they can choose their dishes simply by pointing at them.
Now it’s time to pay. The machine interface appears in their glasses and identifies their pre-registered payment methods. They authenticate the payment by entering their codes.
Sophie then spends an enjoyable afternoon playing her favorite game of virtual tennis. Using a sophisticated handheld device, which faithfully recreates the vibrations generated every time she hits the ball, she enjoys an incredibly life-like experience of a match against Cori Gauff, the world champion!
Novesentis, a Californian startup, was founded by former Apple executives. The company has developed actuator and haptic sensor technologies based on the world’s thinnest films, which improve the sensory interactions of many applications. Thanks to the miniaturization of materials, its ultra-thin actuators are meeting growing demand for everyday devices that are lighter, slimmer, smaller and more flexible.
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