Understanding Soft Haptics
Soft Haptics, just as with Soft Robotics, defies the preconception that devices are hard and electromechanical. Owing to recent advances in materials science, we now have the resource to model, simulate, and experiment with nontraditional materials and metamaterials. These include crystals and polymers that could be actuated through contactless means such as light, heat, and ultrasound, combined with origami-inspired mechanisms. Such actuation methods allow the materials to shift between soft and hard haptic properties, expanding the degree of freedom of haptic interfaces. To this end, we are developing systems for applications in communication, entertainment, and healthcare.