A lesser known part of the Disney conglomerate is making some incredible advancement in the way the world will experience touch screen technology. Disney Research, the self-proclaimed “science behind the magic” has created a way to add physical sensation to almost anything that can be touched in the physical world. The effect is that friction can be created to allow regular objects to become veritable touch displays that create sensations for the user of the technology.
Known as REVEL, the technology uses electric fields to create the effect. An electrostatic signal generator is attached to a user’s body while objects are placed on the same electric plane. The result is that anything on the aforementioned plane can be “felt” through friction to create a simulated sensation that represents a real thing. The people at Disney refer to the technology as Reverse Electrovibration, conveniently shorted to REVEL.
The technology has many uses including integration into city maps for tourists, directional indicators for the visually impaired as well as the ability to take augmented reality entertainment to incredible new heights. According to the video summary below, the technology is low cost and easy to implement.
We at TQ think it looks absolutely incredible and believe that REVEL represents a true step forward in touch displays.