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Korean engineers develop 3D-touch technology for multiple pressure points

Korean engineers develop 3D-touch technology for multiple pressure points

Posted July. 22, 2016 07:09,   

Updated July. 22, 2016 07:21

한국어
South Korean engineers have developed a transparent three dimensional touch sensor that can recognize the pressure of multiple fingers. The technology that senses the pressure of a finger on an LCD is commercialized, but it is the first one that senses multiple pressure points.

Kim Jong-ho, a senior researcher of Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, said Thursday that his team developed a transparent touch sensor that can sense more than one three-dimensional touches at the same time.

Last year, Apple released its 3D touch technology that recognizes the pressure on the screen and helps various functions to work for the first time. The newly-developed sensor by Korean researchers is a step further from Apple’s in that it can sense multiple spots at the same time.

The researchers made a flexible thin film that is 0.2 millimeters or less and put it between two transparent electrodes. When they push the electrodes, the thickness of the film changes, allowing the change of the pressure of power. As visible light can penetrate the sensor up to 87 percent and it is 0.5 millimeters thin, it can be used to various mobile devices that are available in the market.

If this technology is applied to a piano game, it would allow players to play it like a real piano because it can sense the pressure from multiple fingers. If the difference in the finger pressure on a touchpad is used for making a password, a new securer door lock can be developed.

“If the multi-3D touch technology is commercialized, it can be used in smartphones and various content such as security and games,” Kim said.



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