Demonstrating MagnetIO: Passive Yet Interactive Soft Haptic Patches Anywhere – ACM SIGGRAPH 2021, Emerging Technologies
Authors – Alex Mazursky, Shan-Yuan Teng, Romain Nith, and Pedro Lopes (all from University of Chicago, US)
Key words – Human computer interaction, Passive actuator, Ubiquitous haptics
Interest Areas – Gaming & Interactive(AR), Research & Education
Abstract – MagnetIO is a new type of haptic actuator comprised of two parts: one battery-powered voice coil worn on the user’s fingernail and any number of interactive soft patches that can be attached to any surface (everyday objects, user’s body, appliances, etc.).When the user’s finger wearing the voice-coil contacts any of the interactive patches it detects its magnetic signature via magnetometer and vibrates the patch, adding haptic feedback to otherwise input-only interactions. To allow these passive patches to vibrate, we make them from silicone with regions doped with polarized neodymium powder, resulting in soft and stretchable magnets. This stretchable form-factor allows them to be wrapped to the user’s body or everyday objects of various shapes.
