OREANDA-NEWS. Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. announced development of a prototype tablet with a touchscreen that conveys a sense of slipperiness or roughness depending on the image being displayed. This new haptic, or tactile, sensory technology was developed by Fujitsu Laboratories.

While technologies already exist that convey texture by vibrating the touchscreen display panel itself or by generating static electricity, Fujitsu Laboratories has developed the industry's first technology to use ultrasonic vibrations to convey tactile sensations by varying the friction between the touchscreen display and the user's finger. This technology enables tactile sensations – either smooth or rough, which had until now been difficult to achieve – right on the touchscreen display. Users can enjoy realistic tactile sensations as they are applied to images of objects displayed on the screen.

Fujitsu will be exhibiting and demonstrating the prototype at the Fujitsu booth in Hall 5 at Mobile World Congress 2014, running February 24–27 in Barcelona.

As the market for smartphones and tablets reaches maturity, customer priorities in terms of value are shifting away from specifications and functionality toward features that appeal to our senses and emotions, such as comfort and enjoyment. The Fujitsu Group has long worked toward developing products with a high degree of sensory value, primarily with technologies that offer enhanced visual and auditory features through the company's "Human Centric Engine" equipped on its smart devices. Now, by adding this tactile sensation feature, Fujitsu is offering customers a totally original experience that breaks new ground in usability and sensory expressiveness.