TOUCH Issue 8: Touch Technology of the Future
2
Holographic Touch
Holographic technology is attempting
to take a leap from the visual
experience to the tactile one. Currently
there are two ways that this is being
explored:
1. Air – a Walt Disney Company is
experimenting with the use of small
rings of air being projected into space
along with the holographic image.
These air currents provide a textured
tactile experience of the image.
2. Sound – a team at the University
of Bristol is working with the use of
ultrasonic sound waves to create a
textured sensation in mid-air. Ultrasound
speakers are embedded behind a
display and based on the image,
produce high frequency sound waves
in relation to the visual contours of the
image.
Many are viewing this as a way
to greatly enhance the gaming
experience, however the potential
applications of this technology are
diverse, for example in long-distance
communication (through modes such
as Skype or FaceTime).