Demonstrating Passive yet Interactive Soft Haptic Patches Anywhere using MagnetIO

Abstract

We demonstrate a new type of haptic actuator, which we call MagnetIO, that is 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 onto any surface (everyday objects, user s body, appliances, etc.). When the user s finger wearing our 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. We demonstrate how these add haptic output to many situations, such as adding haptic buttons to the walls of one s home.