Cross-Field Haptics: Tactile Device Combined with Magnetic andElectrostatic Fields for Push-Pull Haptics
Satoshi Hashizume∗, Kazuki Takazawa, Amy Koike, Yoichi Ochiai
University of Tsukuba

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 1: (a) The user feels the paramecium caudatum sensation from the surface (b) Electromagnet array layer (c) Magnetic fluid layer (d)Conductive electrode layer
Keywords: Haptics, ferrofluid, electrovibration, cross-field
Concepts: •Human-centered computing → Haptic devices;

1Introduction

The representation of texture is a major concern during fabricationand manufacturing in many industries in the real world [Ochiai et al.
2014].
Tactile feedback allows displaying texture and affordance of contacts to users. In conventional studies, interaction using tactile feedback has been actively researched. Most haptic feedback systems
currently being studied are categorized into two areas; wearable
or non-wearable devices. Tactile feedback using wearable devices
often uses force feedback devices, e.g., users wear the feedback
devices on their arm or fingertips. Wearable devices can provide
strong tactile feedback and tactile presentation for any condition.
However, it is difficult to implement larger wearable devices tomount on the user. On the other hand, tactile feedback with nonwearable devices mainly utilizes environmental type tactile displays
such as magnetic field, electrostatic field, and acoustic fields. Because the user does not necessarily wear the device, the user’s load
becomes a low-level load.
In present study, we aim to research new material interactions as
environmental type tactile display. We aim to develop a new tactile
display to express various textures. The proposed system physically deforms and changes the physical force between the finger
and the device. To achieve this, we combine magnetic and electrostatic fields. We utilize ferrofluid which is flexible liquid affectedby the magnetic field, and electrovibration on a film that covers ferrofluid to generate adsorption force from the electrostatic field todevelop this device.
∗ e-mail:pota1401@hotmail.co.jp
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the owner/author(s). ⃝SA ’16, December 05-08, 2016, , Macao
ISBN: 978-1-4503-4539-2/16/12
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2988240.2988246

We compared tactile sensation for single field and multiple fields.
Through verification, it was determined that haptic feedback using
multiple fields provides a wide range of tactile sensations comparedwith that using a single field. By combining different types of force(e.g., pull and push) simultaneously, the proposed system can display various textures. To the best of our knowledge, this is early
study that combines multi-field physical quantities to render haptic textures. The electrostatic and magnetic fields do not influenceeach other. Further, from the experiment, it was determined that thefields do not influence each other’s tactile presentation.

2

Related Works

Ferrofluid is used in the method for tactile presentation used withmagnetic field. Ferrofluid is a fluid that changes viscosity as per
the given magnetic field. It is possible to express the softness ofthe object by changing the viscosity of the magnetic fluid and it
is also possible to express bumpy through fluid deformation. Linetic [Koh et al. 2013] which use ferrofluid, combined Hall Effectsensing and actuation through electromagnetically-manipulated ferrofluid. In this study, we employ ferrofluid and magnetic field torender “push” haptic feedback.
Adding to a ferrofluid, we present haptic feedback using a technique called electrovibration [Mallinckrodt et al. 1953] as “pull”
haptic feedback. Electrovibration creates a rubbery feeling whendragging a dry finger over a conductive surface covered with a thininsulating layer excited with a high voltage signal. TeslaTouch[Bauet al. 2010] uses electrovibration, which adds a signal to an electrode. Am interaction display and a touch display were developed
using electrode without a power unit. Electrovibration can provide
haptic feedback without using a complicated actuator and device.
However, it is necessary to move a finger because tactile presentation is related to the electrostatic force generated between a finger
and the surface. Therefore, it is impossible to provide one point
haptic feedback such as a button.
This study combines multiple tactile technologies in order to overcome each other’s disadvantages and to help improve interaction
varieties. Cross-Field Aerial Haptics [Ochiai et al. 2016] generates
tactile interface in the air by combining ultrasonic waves and laser
plasmas. Cross-field haptics is not a widely studied in haptic areas.
To explore thes tactile display areas, we decided to use the electrostatic and magnetic fields simultaneously. The magnetic field
generates force to push up and down using ferrofluid. The electro-ProjectorCamera

fefm

(a)

(b)

(c)

Insulator
Conductive ElectrodeComputer

Ferroﬂuid

Signal Generator
Haptics Device

Electromagnet Array

Figure 2: System Overview; (Left)System layers. fe is Frictionalforce generated electrovibration and fm is push up and down force
generated ferrofluid; (Right) System unit.
static field generates force to horizontal directions using electrovibration. The top, bottom, right and left directions can be producedby combining the power generated to pull with the power generated
to push.

3Implementation

The device consists of an electromagnet array layer, a ferrofluidlayer, and a conductive electrode layer (Figure 2 upper) [Hashizume
et al. 2016]. Ferrofluid is a liquid that changes its viscosity in response to a magnetic field.Ferrofluids are prepared by dissolving
nanoscale ferromagnetic particles in a solvent such as water or oiland remain strongly magnetic even in a fluid condition. It is wellknown that ferrofluids form spikes along magnetic field lines whenthe magnetic surface force exceeds the stabilizing effects of thefluid weight and surface tension. If a magnetic field is provided
the viscosity is linearly controllable using a magnetic field. Ferrofluid is controlled using an electromagnet. Further, to ensure thata groove of the magnetic field is not created on the screen, 12 coils(three vertical and four horizontal) are laid on the 12 cm×17 cm
screen. In this study we focused on the upward force of ferrofluid.
When Viscosity changes, the force pushing up the finger by vibration created by switching the magnetic field in the electromagnet.
The Electrostatic force part uses a conductive electrode. This part ofthe system provides haptic feedback using electrostatics adhesion.
Furthermore, it also provides high-voltage electric vibration to theelectrode (Figure 1 (d)). When a body is connected to GND andan electrode is struck, force is generated. Force is generated in
the direction where a movement is resisted; therefore, the frictional
force is generated. In this study, a transparent conductive film on
the electrode, the insulation coating agent (Hayacoat), was applied
as the insulating layer. The insulator is pitched by the electrodeand the finger, and therefore, electric current does not flow into thehuman body. Even if it flows into the human body, it is restricted to0.5 mA electric current, as there are constant current diodes of 0.5
mA on the GND side that is connected to the human body.
Arduino Due and a personal computer are used for the control of acircuit (Figure 2 lower). A finger that attached a marker is tracked
with a camera, and the tracking position is used as input. A projector sends the image to a device based on the location of the trackedfinger. An electronic signal is sent to the electromagnet and theelectrode with a signal generator based on a tracked coordinate.

4Application

Application to express various textures is possible (Figure 3 (a)(b)).
In order to do this, we change the frequency of the signal whichadds to electrode and electromagnet. TeslaTouch express texture
using friction, our application expresses texture using the force ofmagnetic fluid in addition to friction.
It is possible to assist GUI operation by using the Push-Pull haptics.

Figure 3: (a) Wool texture rendering; (b) Paper texture rendering;(c) reproduction of the heart motion
As an example, it is Drag & Drop which is a basic operation of GUI.
Our application produces friction using electrovibration when you
are dragging files, icons, and other draggable items. It makes atactile illusion that is similar to have things in the real world. Whenthings come to destination, we change stickiness of ferrofluid. Theuser can judge whether it is destination by hardness of the surface.
This can become useful guide to operation, and the moving speed
to destination is faster.
Cross-field haptics can express the body tissue such as the heart andthe liver (Figure 3(c)). In the medical field such as the operations,accurate movement to match the state of the body tissue is essential. The exact behavior is performed easily if the body tissue canbe expressed. To reproduce the organs, the texture of the surface,viscosity such as softness, and vibration such as pulsation is a needto express. Surface texture can be expressed in electrovibration, theviscosity and deformation can be expressed using the ferrofluid.
In this study, we developed a method that combines multiple haptics technologies. This method generates multiple direction force(up and down, pull) using the ferrofluid and the electrovibration.
We discussed width of the sense of touch presentation spread froman experiment of cross-field haptics. However, there are some problems. Because of vibration by the ferrofluid is big, friction feelingof electrovibration is weak. It is necessary to regulate electricity toadd to an electromagnet. In a process of implementation, there aresome difficult points including the method to put an insulation filmon the electrode and handling of the ferrofluid. It will be necessary
to think about simpler method for implementation in future.

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