human media lab unveils flexible smartphone with haptic bend inputs

human media lab unveils flexible smartphone with haptic bend inputs
all images courtesy of human media lab

researchers at queen’s university’s human media lab have developed a full-color, high resolution flexible smartphone to combine multitouch with bend inputs. the device, which they have named ‘ReFlex’, allows users to experience physical tactile feedback when interacting with their apps through bend gestures. 

‘ReFlex’ is based on a 720p LG display flexible OLED touch screen powered by an android 4.4 ‘kitkat’ software board mounted to the side of the display. bend sensors behind the display detect the force with which an user bends the screen, which is made available to apps for use as input. it also features a voice coil that allows the phone to simulate forces and friction through highly detailed vibrations of the display. combined with the passive force feedback felt when bending the display, this allows for a highly realistic simulation of physical forces when interacting with virtual objects.

the bend input offers an extra dimension to mobile gaming the layers added to the LG display  the ‘ReFlex’ includes passive force feedback