A touch interface device comprising: a touch surface; a first electrode coupled with the touch surface, the first electrode also configured to receive a first haptic actuation electric potential; and a second electrode coupled with the touch surface and configured to receive a different, second haptic actuation electric potential having an opposite polarity than the first haptic actuation potential with respect to a local ground of the device, wherein one or more appendages of an operator that touch the touch surface above both the first electrode and the second electrode act to complete an electric circuit between the first and second electrodes, wherein an electrostatic force is imparted on the one or more appendages and generates a haptic effect; wherein at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is configured to also receive a sensing electric current in order to sense touch of the touch surface by the one or more appendages of the operator, wherein the at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is configured to concurrently receive the sensing electric current and the first haptic actuation electric potential or the second haptic actuation electric potential, respectively, to generate the electrostatic force and concurrently sense the touch of the touch surface by the one or more appendages; wherein the first electrode lies across the second electrode without being conductively coupled with the second electrode at a first intersection, and the first and second electrodes are configured to generate the electrostatic force on the one or more appendages that touch the touch surface above the first intersection of the first and second electrodes; and wherein the electrostatic force that is generated by the first and second electrodes at the first intersection is greater than other electrostatic forces generated by the first electrode or the second electrode in one or more locations separated from the first intersection. a touch surface; a first electrode coupled with the touch surface, the first electrode also configured to receive a first haptic actuation electric potential; and a second electrode coupled with the touch surface and configured to receive a different, second haptic actuation electric potential having an opposite polarity than the first haptic actuation potential with respect to a local ground of the device, wherein one or more appendages of an operator that touch the touch surface above both the first electrode and the second electrode act to complete an electric circuit between the first and second electrodes, wherein an electrostatic force is imparted on the one or more appendages and generates a haptic effect; wherein at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is configured to also receive a sensing electric current in order to sense touch of the touch surface by the one or more appendages of the operator, wherein the at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is configured to concurrently receive the sensing electric current and the first haptic actuation electric potential or the second haptic actuation electric potential, respectively, to generate the electrostatic force and concurrently sense the touch of the touch surface by the one or more appendages; wherein the first electrode lies across the second electrode without being conductively coupled with the second electrode at a first intersection, and the first and second electrodes are configured to generate the electrostatic force on the one or more appendages that touch the touch surface above the first intersection of the first and second electrodes; and wherein the electrostatic force that is generated by the first and second electrodes at the first intersection is greater than other electrostatic forces generated by the first electrode or the second electrode in one or more locations separated from the first intersection.