Advantages of Active Haptics on Touch Surfaces

Abstract

Touch surfaces with no surface deformations delineating the individual function fields open up new design possibilities in the car interior. However, a haptic feedback signal similar to a mechanical button appears to be necessary for orientation and input acknowledgment. This has been put into practice in a new product by Continental, using active haptics in the form of an electromechanical concept. This article describes the review of this new product's added value, and refutes potential disadvantages regarding its fitness for use compared with traditional solutions. The subjective perception of the active haptic feedback signal is also described. Three different empirical investigations, each with 20 test subjects, were carried out. Our results show that there is significant added value regarding the attractiveness of the new product. The absence of any shortcomings regarding its fitness for use compared with traditional solutions could not be proved conclusively. Nevertheless, interesting connections between the subjective perception of the haptic feedback signal and its intensity were observed.