HAPPY: haptic feedback the next step in smart interfacing. (HAPPY)

In this project the technical enablers to make haptic feedback part of modern smart systems will be created. Haptic feedback is touch sensory feedback: smart systems can make a user feel something. Starting from preliminary research on thin film ultrasound transducers and thin film circuits combined with silicon chips, a real-time haptic feedback system will be created. An application example of this is a touch screen that lets its user feel the touched button.

Several research breakthroughs are needed to make this a  reality. Ultrasound transducer matrices must be created in TFT also accommodating part of the circuitry. Silicon circuits in the periphery of the matrix  interface these matrices to the system.

The valorization options of haptic feedback resides in several applications. Advanced human-machine interfaces for automotive, advanced displays and augmented reality in multimedia systems are potential options of application.