Electromagnetically actuating a haptic feedback system

Examples are disclosed that relate to haptic actuators. One disclosed example provides a haptic actuator including an inductive coil, a layer of a compressible material positioned adjacent to the inductive coil and transverse to an axis of the inductive coil, and a magnet positioned on the layer of compressible material such that the magnet is movable relative to the inductive coil via compression of the layer of the compressible material upon application of a control signal to the inductive coil. Another example provides an article including a textile formed at least partially from a yarn including a core and a conductor wound around the core to form an inductive coil, and a magnetic object integrated with the textile at a position transverse to a direction of a magnetic field formed by the inductive coil.

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality (VR) display systems immerse a user in an alternate reality, with virtual imagery occupying an entire field of view of an opaque display system. Augmented reality (AR) display systems, such as mixed reality (MR) display systems, display virtual objects mixed with real imagery, such as via a see-through display system. In either case, visual and auditory aspects of a virtual experience may be represented in a lifelike manner.

SUMMARY

Examples are disclosed that relate to haptic actuators. One disclosed example provides a haptic actuator comprising an inductive coil, a layer of a compressible material positioned adjacent to the inductive coil and transverse to an axis of the inductive coil, and a magnet positioned on the layer of compressible material such that the magnet is movable relative to the inductive coil via compression of the layer of the compressible material upon application of a control signal to the inductive coil.

Another example provides an article comprising a textile formed at least partially from a yarn including a core and a conductor wound around the core to form an inductive coil, and a magnetic object integrated with the textile at a position transverse to a direction of a magnetic field formed by the inductive coil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While VR and AR display systems may represent visual and auditory aspects of a virtual experience in a lifelike manner, such devices may not have the ability to provide realistic tactile interactions with displayed virtual objects, such as when a body part intersects a displayed virtual object. As possible solutions, a wearable device of an VR or AR system may include a linear resonant actuator, eccentric rotating mass actuator, or voice coil actuator that is actuated in response to user interaction within a displayed virtual scene. Other examples of haptic actuators include piezoceramic materials, dielectric electroactive polymers, and ionic electroactive polymers. To create “soft” actuating experiences in which feedback output by such actuators resembles interactions with soft, deformable, and/or pliable objects, surfaces of the actuators may be coated with a soft interface material, or may utilize the mechanically flexible nature of a functional material within an actuator (e.g., an electroactive polymer).

However, the use of such haptic actuators may present various problems. For example, linear resonant actuators generally move at a fixed frequency. Thus, it may be difficult to simulate interactions with different types of virtual objects with such actuators. Eccentric rotating mass actuators generally exhibit a slow response, and may be subject to mechanical wearing that limits practicality for long-term usage. Voice coil actuators generally comprise a large physical form factor and may exhibit high power consumption, which may limit the use of such actuators on wearable devices with small batteries. Dielectric electroactive polymers may utilize too high of a control voltage for practical use on a wearable device. Ionic electroactive polymers may move slowly and require encapsulation to prevent liquid evaporation. Further, piezoceramic materials may be fragile.

Accordingly, examples are disclosed that relate to haptic actuating systems that may help to address such issues. Briefly, the disclosed examples provide electromagnetic actuators that may exhibit a wideband frequency response and may be configured to provide soft touch experiences. The disclosed examples also may exhibit low power consumption, may provide tunable output force and vibration modes based on an applied control signal, may provide skin conformability, and may be integrated with textiles and other flexible and/or pliable surfaces. The disclosed examples also may be used for various soft robotics applications, such as for controllably gripping objects via a soft interface.

FIG. 1shows aspects of an example display system100configured to present an augmented or virtual reality environment to a user102. The display system100as illustrated is used to support gameplay, but may be used in other scenarios as well. Display system100includes a head-mounted display (HMD) device104and a wearable electronic device106configured to provide haptic feedback.

HMD device104includes a near-eye display108configured to display virtual imagery in the user's field of view. In some examples, the near-eye display108is a see-through display, enabling real-world and virtual imagery to be admixed in the user's field of view. In other examples, the near-eye display108is opaque, providing a fully immersive virtual reality. In HMD device104, signals encoding the virtual display imagery are sent to the display108via an on-board computing device110. Computing device110includes at least one processor112and associated memory114, examples of which are described below with reference toFIG. 8. HMD device104includes loudspeakers116that enable the user102to experience immersive audio.

Leveraging communications componentry arranged in the HMD device104, the computing device110may be communicatively coupled to one or more off-board computing devices via a network. Thus, the virtual display imagery that the user102sees may, in some examples, be composed and/or rendered by an off-board computing device and sent wirelessly to the computing device110. In other examples, the virtual display imagery may be composed and rendered on-board.

The electronic device106is configured to further augment the augmented, mixed, or virtual reality experience by providing a physical sensation to the user's skin responsive to user interaction with virtual imagery projected into a field of view of the user. In the example ofFIG. 1, the physical sensation may be provided whenever the hand of the user102intersects virtual ball118.

In some examples, the physical sensation provided by the electronic device106upon user interaction with a virtual display object may vary based on the virtual display object, such that the user is provided different tactile experiences for interactions with virtual objects of different surface texture, elasticity, deformability, etc. While the electronic device106takes the form of a glove inFIG. 1, an electronic device may take the form of a mouse, a handheld controller, a keyboard, upholstered furniture, a robot (e.g., soft robotics), or any other suitable article in other examples.

To simulate the sensation of interaction between the user's hand and a virtual display object, such as virtual ball118, the electronic device106includes a haptic actuating system configured to modify a pressure sensation provided to the user in response to detecting initial contact and subsequent interaction with the virtual ball118.FIG. 2schematically shows aspects of an example electronic device200that takes the form of a glove worn on a hand202of a user. Glove200is an example of electronic device106.

Glove200includes one or more electromagnetic haptic actuators204controllable to modify a pressure sensation experienced on a surface of the user's hand202. Haptic actuator204comprises an inductive coil206, a magnet208, and a first compressible structure210positioned between the inductive coil and the magnet transverse to a central axis of the inductive coil. As described in more detail below, the haptic actuator may utilize a high current inductor such as those used in impedance matching circuits. Thus, in some examples, the actuator may be formed by simply adhering a compressible material to a cap or other suitable surface of the high current inductor, and then adhering a magnet on the compressible material. In the example ofFIG. 2, the haptic actuator204also comprises a second compressible structure212disposed on an opposite side of the magnet208as the first compressible structure210. The second compressible structure212may be closely coupled to the user's skin202, for example, to provide a desired feel (e.g. soft, damped, etc.) for output provided by the haptic actuator204. In other examples, the second compressible structure212may be omitted.

The haptic actuator204may be integrated with the electronic device200in any suitable manner. In the depicted example, the electronic device200comprises an inner skin-contacting layer214and an exterior layer216, each of which may be formed from a layer of textile, a polymer sheet, or other suitable skin-conforming material(s). The haptic actuator204is positioned between the layers in such a position that the magnet is pushed toward a user's finger or moved horizontally, depending upon the magnetization direction of the magnet, when actuated. In other examples, the magnet208and the inductive coil206may be secured to opposing sides of a textile or polymer layer, such that the layer acts as the first compressible structure.

The electronic device200further comprises a controller218electrically connected each haptic actuator204via a wired connection220. The controller218is configured to send control signals to the inductive coil206of each haptic actuator204to control a magnetic force between the magnet208and the inductive coil206. In some examples, the control signal may be received from an external computing device (e.g. an HMD), or determined by the controller218based upon a signal received from an external computing device. The control signal may be configured to control a frequency, amplitude, and/or waveform of actuator motion to create a desired user sensation in response to an interaction with a virtual object. For example, metadata regarding material properties of virtual objects may be stored for each displayed virtual object, and the control signal sent to a haptic actuator may be determined based at least on such metadata. As a more specific example, an interaction with a displayed virtual object that represents a soft, deformable object (e.g. a balloon) may trigger the provision of a control signal that simulates progressively increasing pressure against a finger (e.g. by progressively increasing the force pushing the magnet from the inductive coil) as the finger progressively pushes farther into the virtual balloon.

FIG. 3shows a schematic depiction of the electromagnetic haptic actuator204. The controller218is configured to control a magnetic flux density of a magnetic field interacting with the magnet208by controlling an electric current applied to the inductive coil206. The actuation properties of the electromagnetic haptic actuator204depend on various factors, including inductance of the inductive coil206, control signal current, control signal frequency, magnetic strength of the magnet208, and mechanical and geometric properties of the first compressible structure210. The inductance of the inductive coil206may be modeled by equation (1), where L is inductance, μ is magnetic permeability of the inductive coil core material (not shown inFIG. 3), N is number of turns of the inductive coil, A is cross-sectional area of the inductive coil, and l is height of the inductive coil structure.

In some examples, the inductive coil206comprises a surface-mountable configuration, such as a low-profile unshielded power inductor or surface-mount general purpose unshielded power inductor. In various examples, the inductive coil206may comprise an air core or a magnetic core (e.g. a ferrite core). Where a magnetic core is used, the core may comprise a cap extending beyond the coil, on which the first compressible structure210and the magnet208may be mounted.

Interaction between the inductive coil206and the magnet208also depends on various properties of the magnet208, such as a magnetic material, shape, volume, magnetization strength, magnetization orientation, and/or magnetization direction of the magnet208. The magnet208may comprise any suitable magnetic material, including ferromagnetic, diamagnetic, and paramagnetic materials. The magnet208may be axially magnetized or diametrically magnetized. While shown inFIG. 3as a rectangular magnet smaller in volume than either of the first compressible structure210and the second compressible structure212, the magnet208may comprise any suitable geometry.

When the magnet208comprises a ferromagnet, a force between the inductive coil206and the magnet208may be modeled according to equation (2), where F is the force between the inductive coil and the ferromagnet, L is the inductance of the coil, l is the height of the coil, I is the current within the inductive coil, N is the number of turns of the inductive coil, A is the cross-sectional area of the inductive coil, μ is the magnetic permeability of the inductive coil core material, and z is the distance between a top of the coil and the ferromagnet.

When the magnet208comprises a permanent magnet, a force between the inductive coil206and the magnet208may be modeled according to equation (3), where F is the force between the inductive coil and the permanent magnet, l is the height of the coil, I is the current within the inductive coil, N is the number of turns of the inductive coil, R is the radius of the inductive coil, z is the distance between a center of the inductive coil and the permanent magnet, Mmis the magnetization density, and Vmis the volume of the permanent magnet.

Further, when the magnet208comprises a permanent magnet, a magnetization direction of a permanent magnet may be controlled during manufacturing for a desired vibrational output. As an example, after sintering neodymium or an alloy thereof, a strong inductive coil may magnetize the sintered neodymium into a desired magnetic pole alignment, such as a vertical north-south alignment in which north and south poles are stacked on top of one another, or a horizontal north-south alignment in which the north and south poles are aligned on left and right halves of the magnet rather than stacked on top of one another. In some examples, a vertical north-south magnetic pole alignment may cause substantially pure vertical vibration of the magnet208in the haptic actuator204, whereas a horizontal north-south magnetic pole alignment may cause a pivoting or horizontal motion of the magnet208when actuated.

The first compressible structure210comprises a layer of a compressible material positioned adjacent to the inductive coil and transverse to a central axis222of the inductive coil206. The first compressible structure210is configured to permit the magnet208to move relative to the inductive coil206via compression when the magnet is pulled toward the inductive coil206via a control signal, thereby compressing the first compressible structure between the magnet208and a surface of the inductive coil206. This is illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, which show an example implementation of the haptic actuator204in the form of an electromagnetic actuator800comprising a high current inductor802having a coil804and a core806with a cap808that extends beyond the coil804. The electromagnetic actuator800also comprises a first compressible structure810connected to the cap808, and a magnet812connected to the first compressible structure810. InFIG. 8A, the compressible structure810is in an uncompressed state. In contrast, inFIG. 8B, the first compressible structure810is compressed between the magnet812and the cap808by application of a control signal to the coil804. As shown, the control signal causes the first compressible structure810to be squeezed between these structures, thereby permitting motion of the magnet812by the compression of the first compressible structure810.

Returning toFIG. 2, the haptic actuator204may be configured to simulate interactions with soft, deformable, and/or viscoelastic objects over a wide frequency range. Thus, the first compressible structure210may be formed from a material allowing appropriate responses to a change in a control signal. In some examples, the first compressible structure210comprises an open-cell or closed-cell foam material, such as a foamed olefin block copolymer. The first compressible structure210also may comprise an elastomeric material, such as a co-terminated butadiene rubber, or a silicone-based material. In further examples, the first compressible structure210may comprise a textile, such as a pile fabric, or a corrugated structure (e.g. formed from a resilient polymer or metal sheet). In any example, the use of a less elastic, less spring-like material may allow for a broader frequency response than a more elastic, more spring-like material (such as a stretchable elastic membrane supporting a magnet over a cavity within or above a coil, which may exhibit a relatively sharp resonance frequency band and thus narrower frequency response).

As mentioned above, each haptic actuator204optionally may comprise a second compressible structure212disposed on an opposite side of the magnet208as the first compressible structure210. In the example ofFIG. 2, the second compressible structure212comprises a second layer of a compressible material configured to be positioned against or close to the user's skin202(e.g. separated from the skin by a layer of fabric). In some examples, the second compressible structure212may be formed from a same material as the first compressible structure210, while in other examples the second compressible structure may be formed from a different material than the first compressible structure210. In some examples, the second compressible structure212may comprise a soft, deformable, and/or pliable material.

The composition and thickness of the first compressible structure210and/or the second compressible structure212may be selected to achieve desired mechanical properties, including press tolerance, actuating force, and mechanical compressibility. Press tolerance relates to a magnitude of a perceptible actuation response when an opposing force is applied (e.g. how greatly a tight grip on a controller comprising an actuator effects the perceptible actuator response). Press tolerance also relates to a distance to be maintained between the first compressible structure210and a surface of the inductive coil206, as pressing the magnet too close to the inductive coil surface may result in the cessation of perceptible haptic response. Actuating force relates to a magnitude of force that translates from the haptic actuator204to a user contact point, and mechanical compressibility relates to a distance a surface of the material travels when pressed with a test force.

While described above in the context of virtual and augmented reality experiences, a haptic actuating system as described herein may be implemented in numerous other scenarios.FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate an example article400in the form of a tablet computing device.FIG. 4Adepicts a front view of the article400, andFIG. 4Bdepicts a back view. Various surfaces of the article400may be configured to have a soft and pleasing feel. For example, a first side surface406and a second side surface408of the front of the article400, as well as a back surface410of the article400, may be at least partially formed from a soft polymer or textile material. Further, a haptic actuator as described herein may be integrated with such soft exterior surface, for example, at locations likely to contact a surface of a user's hand/fingers when the article400is held. Examples are shown as haptic actuators412a-bintegrated with a right side bezel406, haptic actuators412c-dintegrated with a left side bezel408, and a plurality of haptic actuators (one of which is shown at412e) integrated with a back surface410of the article400. In another example, article400may take the form of a removable case for a device, such that the haptic actuators are integrated into the removable case. In such an example, the case may communicate with an electronic device contained within the case via wired or wireless connection.

FIG. 5depicts aspects of another example electromagnetic haptic actuator500configured for use with soft touch articles. In the example ofFIG. 5, the haptic actuator500comprises an electromagnetic yarn502that may be controlled to actuate a magnetic object504. While depicted in this example as integrated into a shirt506, the electromagnetic haptic actuator500may be integrated with any other suitable textile-based electronic article. Examples include clothing, other wearable devices (e.g., an arm or leg sleeve), and upholstery for furniture, automobiles, etc.

When an electric current is applied to the electromagnetic yarn502via controller507, the electromagnetic yarn502generates a magnetic field, and generated magnetic flux interacts with the magnetic object504to move the magnetic object504. Multiple such electromagnetic yarns may be embedded within a textile508, as shown inFIG. 5, or integrated with a textile patch that is applied to a textile article such as shirt506via an adhesive, embroidery, etc.

In the depicted example, the textile508comprises a woven structure of weft and warp yarns, and the electromagnetic yarn502is inserted into the woven structure in the weft direction. In other examples, the electromagnetic yarn may be woven in a warp direction, or embedded within a knit textile as part of a knitting process, e.g. using a flatbed knitting machine. In yet other examples, the electromagnetic yarn may be sewn into or embroidered onto a textile (e.g., as a patch and/or pattern of electromagnetic yarn). In any of these examples, the electromagnetic haptic actuator500may be seamlessly integrated with a textile508and configured to flex and/or stretch according to movement of the textile508.

In the depicted example, the magnetic object504comprises a disc-shaped permanent magnet positioned substantially transverse to a direction of magnetic flux lines from the electromagnetic yarn502. In other examples, the magnetic object504may take any other suitable form, such as a segment of magnetic yarn (e.g., yarn formed at least partially from a ferromagnetic material). In yet other examples, the magnetic object504may comprise another electromagnet configured to be driven with a different magnetic signal than the electromagnetic yarn502, for example, to attract or repel the electromagnetic yarn502. The magnetic object504may be integrated with the textile508in any suitable manner. In some examples the magnetic object504may be incorporated into the textile at or near an end of an electromagnetic yarn weft insert502, for example, by adhering or sewing a structure containing the magnetic object to the textile508. Where the magnetic object504is another electromagnetic yarn segment, the magnetic object504may be incorporated into the textile by weaving, knitting or embroidery, as examples.

FIG. 6shows aspects of an inductive coil in the form of a yarn600suitable for use as electromagnetic yarn502. The yarn600comprises a core602and a conductor604wound around the core602. The core602may comprise any suitable material. In some examples, the core602comprises an electrical insulator, such as a natural and/or synthetic yarn. In other examples, the core602comprises a magnetic material, such as a ferromagnetic material. The conductor604comprises any suitable electrically conductive material, such as a copper wire. Supplying electrical current to the yarn600generates a magnetic field along an axis of the core602. An example magnetic field line for the yarn600is shown at606. The strength of the magnetic field generated by the yarn600depends at least upon a geometry of the yarn (e.g., a gauge of wire used for the conductor604, height of the yarn600, number of turns of the wire, etc.), electrical current supplied through the yarn600, and a material of the core602. For example, a ferrite core may produce more concentrated magnetic field lines than a polymer core.

The yarn600may be formed in any suitable manner. In some examples, traditional core-spun yarn manufacturing techniques may be used to create an inductive coil structure. In other examples, the yarn600may be formed via a printing process in which an electrically conductive material is printed on a core material while rotating the core material to form a coiled pattern.

FIG. 7shows other example articles/electronic devices in which the above-described example haptic actuators may be incorporated. More particularly,FIG. 7shows a mouse702, a laptop computing device704, a gaming console controller706, and a sofa708. A mouse702may include a surface710formed at least partially from a soft, pliable, and/or deformable material (e.g. a textile or soft polymer), and an electromagnetic haptic actuator712disposed beneath or embedded with the surface710at a location likely to be contacted during use. A laptop704may comprise an electromagnetic haptic actuator714disposed beneath or embedded within a surface of a touchpad716, and/or at other locations, such as beneath a palm rest718or keyboard key720. A video game controller706may include an electromagnetic haptic actuator722disposed beneath or embedded within a portion of a body likely to be contacted by a user's hand when held. A sofa708may include an electromagnetic haptic actuator724integrated with a surface of an arm rest726, a back cushion728, and/or a seat cushion730. Such electromagnetic haptic actuators may be actuated in response to any suitable event, for example, to alert a user to a notification (a phone call or message) or as part of an immersive gaming experience. The disclosed examples also may be used in vehicle upholstery, bicycle seats, and in soft robotics applications.

As an example of a soft robotics application, an actuator as disclosed herein may be positioned opposite a surface to form a gripping device. An object can be placed between the actuator and the opposing surface, and then a signal may be applied to the actuator to cause the magnet to move farther from the coil, thereby gripping the object. Plural actuators, potentially positioned at different angles to the object, may be used in such an example for additional grip control. Further, the actuators may be covered with a desired soft material to provide a gentle interface for gripping possibly fragile objects. This may help, for example, to gently harvest, inspect, sort, and/or package agricultural products (e.g. produce, eggs, etc.). Such a gripping device may be used in conjunction with a convey belt or other rapid moving platform system, in some instances. Likewise, such a gripping device may be used as a soft robotics interface to move fragile objects within manufacturing and/or distribution environments.

As another example of a soft robotics application, an actuator as disclosed herein may be integrated with a surface of a soft exoskeleton to form a system akin to human musculature. A signal may be applied to the actuator to cause the magnet to move closer to or farther from the inductive coil, and thereby contract or expand the soft exoskeleton. This may used, for example, as a rehabilitation tool to aid an individual in movement. Further, such actuators also may be used in in prosthetic devices, for example, to provide for the ability to gently grip objects.

As yet another example soft robotics application, an actuator as disclosed herein may be integrated with a personal robot, for example, to provide care for an elderly individual(s) as an alternative or a supplement to human caretakers. Soft actuation surfaces of a personal robot may be configured to mimic human touch and/or grip, for example, to perform various caretaking tasks. As yet another example soft robotics application, an actuator as disclosed herein may be used to provide soft actuation capabilities in autonomous robots. For example, robots deployed to detect threats, move explosives, etc., may delicately interact with a dangerous or otherwise volatile object via soft actuated membrane materials.

FIG. 9schematically shows a non-limiting embodiment of a computing system900that can enact one or more of the methods and processes described above. Computing system900is shown in simplified form. Computing system900may take the form of one or more personal computers, server computers, tablet computers, home-entertainment computers, network computing devices, gaming devices, mobile computing devices, mobile communication devices (e.g., smart phone), and/or other computing devices. Examples include, but are not limited to, the example computing devices and wearable devices described above.

Computing system900includes a logic machine902and a storage machine904. Computing system900may optionally include a display subsystem906, input subsystem908, communication subsystem910, and/or other components not shown inFIG. 9.

The logic machine902may include one or more processors configured to execute software instructions. Additionally or alternatively, the logic machine902may include one or more hardware or firmware logic machines configured to execute hardware or firmware instructions. Processors of the logic machine902may be single-core or multi-core, and the instructions executed thereon may be configured for sequential, parallel, and/or distributed processing. Individual components of the logic machine902optionally may be distributed among two or more separate devices, which may be remotely located and/or configured for coordinated processing. Aspects of the logic machine902may be virtualized and executed by remotely accessible, networked computing devices configured in a cloud-computing configuration.

Storage machine904includes one or more physical devices configured to hold instructions executable by the logic machine902to implement the methods and processes described herein. When such methods and processes are implemented, the state of storage machine904may be transformed—e.g., to hold different data.

The term “program” may be used to describe an aspect of computing system900implemented to perform a particular function. In some cases, a program may be instantiated via logic machine902executing instructions held by storage machine904. It will be understood that different programs may be instantiated from the same application, service, code block, object, library, routine, API, function, etc. Likewise, the same program may be instantiated by different applications, services, code blocks, objects, routines, APIs, functions, etc. The term “program” may encompass individual or groups of executable files, data files, libraries, drivers, scripts, database records, etc.

When included, display subsystem906may be used to present a visual representation of data held by storage machine904. This visual representation may take the form of a graphical user interface (GUI). As the herein described methods and processes change the data held by the storage machine904, and thus transform the state of the storage machine904, the state of display subsystem906may likewise be transformed to visually represent changes in the underlying data. Display subsystem906may include one or more display devices utilizing virtually any type of technology. Such display devices may be combined with logic machine902and/or storage machine904in a shared enclosure, or such display devices may be peripheral display devices.

Another example provides a haptic actuator comprising an inductive coil, a layer of a compressible material positioned adjacent to the inductive coil and transverse to an axis of the inductive coil, and a magnet positioned on the layer of compressible material such that the magnet is movable relative to the inductive coil via compression of the layer of the compressible material upon application of a control signal to the inductive coil. In such an example, the layer of the compressible material may additionally or alternatively be a first layer, and the haptic actuator may additionally or alternatively comprise a second layer of a second compressible material disposed on the magnet on an opposite side of the magnet as the first layer. In such an example, the first compressible material may additionally or alternatively comprise a different material than the second compressible material. In such an example, the compressible material may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more of a foam and/or an elastomeric material. In such an example, the compressible material may additionally or alternatively comprise a textile. In such an example, the inductive coil may additionally or alternatively comprise a magnetic core. In such an example, the magnet may additionally or alternatively comprise a ferromagnetic material or a paramagnetic material. In such an example, the inductive coil may additionally or alternatively comprise an unshielded power inductor.

Another example provides an article comprising a textile formed at least partially from a yarn that includes a core and a conductor arranged around the core to form an inductive coil, and a magnetic object integrated with the textile at a position transverse to a direction of a magnetic field formed by the inductive coil. In such an example, the magnetic object may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more permanently magnetized yarns integrated with the textile via one or more of weaving, knitting, and/or embroidery. In such an example, the magnetic object may additionally or alternatively be integrated with the textile via one or more of an adhesive and embroidery. In such an example, the textile may additionally or alternatively comprise a woven structure, and the yarn which forms the inductive coil may additionally or alternatively be incorporated by weaving in a weft direction of the textile. In such an example, the yarn which forms the inductive coil may additionally or alternatively be integrated with the textile via embroidery. In such an example, the core may additionally or alternatively comprise a ferromagnetic material. In such an example, the core may additionally or alternatively comprise an electrically insulating material. In such an example, the article may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more of a mouse, a keyboard, a case for a mobile device, a handheld controller, and/or an upholstered item. In such an example, the article may additionally or alternatively comprise a controller configured to send a control signal through the yarn to control the magnetic field.

Another example provides an electronic device comprising a layer comprising one or more of a textile and/or a pliable polymer material, a haptic actuator disposed beneath the layer, the haptic actuator comprising an inductive coil, a compressible structure positioned transverse to an axis of the inductive coil, and a magnet disposed on the compressible structure such that the magnet is movable relative to the inductive coil via compression of the layer of the compressible material upon application of a control signal to the inductive coil, and a controller electrically connected to the inductive coil and configured to control haptic feedback output by the haptic actuator. In such an example, the controller may additionally or alternatively be configured to modify the haptic feedback output by the haptic actuator by varying one or more of a waveform and/or a frequency of the control signal. In such an example, the compressible structure may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more of a foam and/or an elastomeric material.