Thermal touch and imitating texture on smartphone screens
Summary
Voice coil motors (VCMs) or custom electromagnetic actuators can provide a greater range of responses with their reduced resonance and faster speed, though can be likened to LRAs. However, due to their reduced resonance, they have a higher power consumption and make require large volumes and complex structures, which may increase overall costs. Laptops and tablets are also moving away from physical press clicks to haptic-enhanced use, requiring less force for a more streamlined use, seen in Apple MacBooks, though this is considered to still be in the growing adoption phase. The replacement of buttons has generated mixed opinions from consumers; however, with companies like Volkswagen claiming that its decision to switch to haptic controls was not received positively. ESF and USV are particularly useful for surface texture feedback in their ability to increase friction as a fingertip is moved along a touchscreen, providing scope for a new kind of enhanced haptics experience that isnt yet common.