Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TETRHA (Electro-Mechanical Haptic System: Development and implementation of a component designed to improve haptic feedback in a touch sensitive application)
Reporting period: 2018-05-01 to 2018-08-31
The technology offered by TASTITALIA brings an intangible gain in terms of security. Research shows that existing haptic actuators are still bulky and heavy, which has negative impacts on the aesthetic design of the final product, it also limits the multi-sensorial feel during human-device interaction, with current touch screens, a user can only feel the touchscreen and not the virtual object under the finger. People have been dreaming of smaller, thinner, lighter, more responsive, and increasingly intuitive devices for decades. Our overall objectives are miniaturisation of actuator, integration into panels, actuator signal tuning, testing of prototype and compliance to the regulations.
The team has developed a miniature actuator, calibrating all the sensor technology with highest degree of haptic feedback. The next technical activities will focus on the optimisation of the current prototype after we have tested in an operational environment. We also intend to certify our technology so that it complies with mandatory standards such as the AEC Q200 and ISO 61000-4-X. We will engage our existing market network to gather market intelligence and comprehend the market potential of our innovation. Various platforms will be used for end-user engagement and to increase the visibility of the TASTITALIA’s brand. The main impact is in safety.
The haptic actuators most common are Eccentric Rotating Mass (ERM), Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA). Taptic Engine, TACHammer, Piezo Electric Actuator (PEA) and TDK PiezoHapt. Due to a series of PEA materials has emerged that exhibits a significant shape change in response to electrical stimulation, recently EAP-actuated mechanisms are being engineered with large application potential. But it is still not available. TETRHA pros over PiezoHapt is voltage and cost. TETRHA pros over TACHammer is localised effect and cost. Cons are thickness and sensing performance, because TACHammer is the only to offer 3-mode tactile feedback.