Bosch Developing Touchscreen that You Can Feel

Bosch is reportedly developing a new touchscreen interface for use in automobiles that operators can feel. Most touchscreen interfaces, especially those used in cars and trucks, offer no form of haptics feedback to the operator. When you press a virtual button on the interface, the system executes the command without sending any form of feedback to the operator. As a result, there’s greater room for error when using these touchscreen systems. Bosch is hoping to change this, however, with the introduction of a new automotive-based touchscreen system that operators can feel when they use it.

As noted by the company in a press release, Bosch’s new touchscreen interface responds with both haptics elements as well as visual and audio signals. While some tech companies have already begun to use haptics feedback in their touchscreen devices, Bosch is looking to go one step further by combining haptics with visual and audio to complete the experience. A typical touchscreen device, for instance, may respond to a user’s touch by creating a light vibration, indicating that it registered his or her key press. With Bosh’s new touchscreen interface, it will respond to touch with vibrations such as this, as well as sound and display elements.

But Bosh is looking beyond just the standard vibration element with its touchscreen interface. The company says its keys will support rough, smooth and patterned key surfaces, each of which has its own unique function and characteristics.

“The new touch screen offers a unique form of interaction. When touched, the display responds with haptic elements as well as visual and acoustic signals. Drivers can feel the keys on the touch screen without looking thanks to variances in the surface structures – and without immediately triggering an action,” said the company in a press release announcing its new haptics-feedback touchscreen technology. “Rough, smooth, or even patterned surfaces stand for different buttons and functions.”

Keep in mind that the virtual button is not engaged until the operator presses it “firmly.” As a result, this creates the impression of a normal, mechanical button on a virtual keypad. Bosch’s new touchscreen technology is also capable of recognizing the level of pressure applied to the interface. Applying light pressure to a button, for instance, triggers the Help function. Users can change the amount of pressure applied to the buttons and interface to perform different commands.