In2tec bring new capabilities to applications where Haptic Feedback adds to visual display information of HMIs -

In2tec bring new capabilities to applications where Haptic Feedback adds to visual display information of HMIs

Posted 24th May 2023

In Aerospace, Automotive, Blog, Complex Interface Assemblies, Consumer, Design to manufacture, Engineers, Haptic Technology, Healthcare, HMI, In2tec News, Safety

In the field of developing technology, haptic feedback provides a promising area of growth and innovation, especially in conjunction with virtual reality, remote work, and cutting-edge Smart HMIs. These technologies allow people to conduct their work one step removed from the point of action, which has a profound effect on employee satisfaction and safety. Smart HMIs from In2tec communicate information or perform functions through a visual interface, but there are many benefits to incorporating haptic physical feedback to this visual experience that can improve concentration, immersion, and reaction times during important moments.

Haptic feedback enhances your responses

One of the primary functions of Smart HMIs is to measure data and control other devices in real-time, and In2tec Smart HMIs provide this with sleek, cost-effective visual displays. Capacitive sensing technology means these devices are also more accurate and more streamlined than common touchscreen interfaces. With our unique and bespoke approach to product design and manufacturing, we can add haptic feedback to our HMIs to bring their capabilities to the next level, which can enhance on-the-job performance through multisensory integration.

According to a study by the US Journal of Cognitive Science, multisensory integration – the presence of nonvisual cues to accompany visual stimulus – can have a ‘profound effect’ on the perceived intensity of a visual cue. In some industries, this subtle change could thus help to enhance reaction and response times. Major examples of sectors where this could be important include motorsports, where responding quickly to a technical fault could mean life or death, and the medical industry, where practitioners need to react quickly in equally critical situations. A Smart HMI with incorporated haptic feedback could provide the additional stimulus needed to condition and trigger meaningful responses from engineers, doctors, and others who work in high-risk environments.

Haptic feedback confirms inputs

Continuing with the multi-sensory theme, another benefit of haptic feedback is that it confirms your inputs without the need for visual confirmation. For example, a keyboard with no physical buttons can still simulate the physical act of pressing a key using haptic feedback, a feature used in many smart devices around the world. When it comes to your specific industry, that means we can design devices that respond exactly as you intend them to, with specific functions and capabilities that suit your requirements.

This kind of functionality can help to improve efficiency, consider operators of unmanned vehicles or aircraft not needing to take their eyes off their camera feed to confirm their inputs. Different levels of haptic feedback can be assigned to distinct functions so that operators can be trained to respond exactly to the kind of feedback the device is giving without losing concentration or awareness of their surroundings.

Haptic feedback makes virtual environments more immersive

This brings us to some of the most bleeding-edge technology that integrates haptic feedback – virtual or augmented environments, where haptics can provide an immersive and responsive experience in both work and leisure settings. Here visuals alone cannot provide a comprehensive “VR” experience, since you cannot feel what you seem to be touching, creating an uncanny, undesired effect. Haptic technology has advanced so much in recent years, with the use of gloves that simulate the feel of objects using haptic feedback becoming more commonplace.

Such capabilities can be incredibly useful in the medical industry, where remote practice may become increasingly common in the future. Being able to incorporate accurate, advanced haptic feedback into processes such as remote surgery will allow doctors and practitioners to carry out their highly precise work from halfway across the world, since haptic feedback can simulate the actual feeling of conducting surgery. This makes different forms of healthcare more accessible globally, reduces the carbon footprint of the medical industry, and saves medical teams travel expenses and time.

In2tec’s Smart HMIs can incorporate highly detailed and responsive haptic feedback into your next project – just get in touch. We’re always happy to discuss design specifications and advise you on the manufacture and applicability of haptic touch capabilities.