The new technology will allow OLED displays to have an inflatable keyboard. Is a physical keyboard possible on a smartphone without breaking the touchscreen? The Future Interfaces Group (FIG) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) seems to think so, as researchers recently demonstrated that such a keyboard could exist using inflatable keys on an OLED display.

This type of technology is called Flat Panel Haptics, which CMU has been working on for the past 15 years. The new breakthrough is that FIG can develop a five millimeter thick flat panel touch panel by developing an embedded electro-osmotic pump, or EEOP.

How will the inflatable keyboard technology work?

According to a promotional video, EEOPs can manipulate a special pumping fluid by passing an electric current through it. The pumps are located between the reservoir where this liquid is at the bottom and the flexible surface at the top. Running an electric current through the stack allows the pumps to inflate the covered button up to five millimeters high.

An inflatable keyboard is not only cool, but also usable in the real world. First, a keyboard could help visually impaired people use high-end phones better because it can provide a physical representation of on-screen content with the help of artificial intelligence assistants like Siri.

As you can imagine, FIG. In the paper, the researchers are aware of some limitations, such as the low durability of these switches and the amount of energy required for everything to work. Also, tablets may be more suitable as it will make phones more bulky.