International Business Machines Corporation
Tactile display using microscale electrostatic accelerators

Abstract:

A mechanism is provided for virtually rendering a portion of a three-dimensional (3D) object to a user via a tactile display. The mechanism receives a selection of the 3D object to be virtually rendered to a user. The mechanism identifies a subset of cells of a plurality of cells that form the tactile display required to virtually render a portion of the 3D object that will be virtually contacted by the tactile display. The mechanism selectively controls a fluid flow to the subset of cells that form the tactile display to render a sensation associated with the portion of the 3D object on skin of the user wearing the tactile display, wherein the fluid flow to each cell the subset of cells is provided via one or more electrostatic accelerator pumps.