Advances in an electrorheological fluid based tactile array

Previous papers have described the development of a 5×5 tactile array based on electrorheological fluids whereby the compliant rubber surface of the array offers a variable and controllable resistance to finger motion as the user´s finger is pressed onto or is moved across the array. Different shapes with arbitrary compliance can therefore be set up under computer control. The main new feature described here is the utilisation of a layer of fabric within the fluid layer. It is shown that this results in at least a doubling of the perceived forces at the same time as at least a three-fold decrease in current. The fabric layer improves the safety of the device since it provides an insulative layer between the electrodes thereby preventing electrical shorting of elements during use. Similar, but reduced effects have been observed with experimental liquid crystalline based electrorheological fluids and added fabric