Imagine a tablet screen that doesn't just show pictures, but lets you feel them through tiny moving pins and vibrations. It uses AI to turn images into touchable patterns and helps people write faster by predicting their next words. It's like giving a digital screen a physical texture so everyone can 'see' the content with their fingertips.
Visually impaired users rely on expensive, bulky external Braille displays or limited text-to-speech tools. This prevents them from accessing graphical content and complex notations on standard tablets.
A prototype haptic tablet featuring a 2D multiline pin display and a multitouch surface with localized vibrotactile feedback, supported by AI for image analysis.
If you are a hardware manufacturer dealing with the high cost and bulk of external Braille peripherals — this project developed a cost-effective actuation mechanism for multiline Braille displays that integrates directly into a tablet. This allows for a more compact, all-in-one accessibility device.
If you are an EdTech provider dealing with the difficulty of teaching complex notations and graphics to blind students — this project developed a multisensory tablet with localized surface haptic feedback. This enables students to interact with graphical content that was previously inaccessible.
If you are a public agency dealing with the digital divide for visually impaired citizens — this project developed a device leveraging AI for image translation and predictive writing. This ensures digital services are accessible via tactile, visual, and auditory feedback.
Based on available project data, the project uses a novel actuation mechanism that relies on fewer and remote actuators to control Braille cells independently, making the hardware more cost-effective.
Based on available project data, the project is currently in the prototype stage, having developed a demonstrator integrating hardware components and engraved glass.
Based on available project data, the project is coordinated by CEA (France) with a consortium of 8 partners, but specific licensing terms are not provided.
The project uses a user-centred design approach, having already conducted studies with 104 representatives, including 97 people with visual impairments.
The project period runs from 2022-09-01 to 2026-02-28, suggesting the final results will be ready by early 2026.
The consortium is well-balanced for a hardware-software hybrid project, consisting of 8 partners across 5 countries. With an industry ratio of 38% (3 industrial partners, including 1 SME), the project has a clear path toward commercialization, while the presence of 1 university and 2 research organizations ensures the technical depth of the AI and haptic actuators.
Contact the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA) in France.
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for the cost-effective Braille actuation mechanism.
