Tactile interaction with surface texture significantly influences users' emotional and perceptual engagement with products. However, most wearable devices employ static material finishes or simple vibrational haptic feedback, which do not replicate the complex qualities of natural textures. This research aims to develop an interactive surface that incorporates dynamic textures to communicate emotion through touch.
Current research on morphing materials primarily addresses large-scale shape changes or low-resolution surface effects. These solutions are often bulky, rigid, or unsuitable for wearable applications. This gap highlights the need to design thin, flexible, high-resolution haptic skins capable of dynamically modulating textures to influence emotional perception through tactile interaction.
Following an evaluation of multiple morphing texture concepts, the research focused on the development of a hairy texture-changing interface.
The design combines a slitted top layer with a metal bristle bottom layer. When the top layer is fully up, the surface feels smooth and flat. When the Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator pulls the top layer downward, the needles are exposed through the slits. This action transforms the surface into a coarse, sandpaper-like texture.
The resulting design is noiseless, lightweight, and flexible, which facilitates adaptation to various surfaces as a haptic interface for user interaction.