Piezo4Haptic
Ultra-thin piezoelectric patch with maximum integrability for multi-modal multi-touch haptic surfaces
A haptic interface is a new type of man-machine interface, which allows the user to interact with the environment using his/her sense of touch. Integrated piezoelectric actuators make the demonstrator screen vibrate imperceptibly based on a vibration mode of several tens of kHz.
The vibration allows the user to feel complex haptic effects such as texturing or relief. An innovative “piezo-in-flex” technology enables the collective integration of commercial piezo ceramics, for flexible, conformable haptic interfaces.
What it can do
Any human-machine interface can be potentially enhanced by introducing a haptic effect. For example:
- Accessibility: touch makes information on a display easier to navigate (for the elderly or visually-impaired, for example)
- Transportation (air, rail, automotive): haptic buttons on dashboards or control panel displays
- Security and defense: for more user-friendly interfaces.
- Smartphone displays with enriched touch features: buttons you can feel and images with texture
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| What makes it unique
Most haptic demonstrators use piezoelectric ceramics, which need to be glued manually to the interface. CEA-Leti is leveraging its 200 mm technology platform to integrate piezoelectric actuators collectively and cost-effectively on a polymer substrate using industrial tools and processes. This enables flexible, conformable, invisible, and silent piezoelectric patches that can be used to functionalize any surface with multi-point, multi-modal touch capabilities. |
What’s next?
CEA-Leti’s piezoelectric patch is ready to manufacture. LED panel manufacturers, systems integrators, and OEMs looking for innovative features to make their products more interactive and accessible can work with CEA-Leti to adapt this technology for their specific needs. CEA-Leti offers several types of partnerships and supports each project from the design stage through to transfer to the partner’s chosen commercial fab.
Scientific publications
Goubault, T., Casset, F., et al., Finite Element Modeling and Experimental Validation of Dual-Mode Ultrasonic Haptics on OLED Screens, EuroSimE 2026. Goubault, T., Casset, F., et al., Fabrication and Electro-mechanical Characterization of Piezoelectric Patches for OLED-Based Haptic Interfaces, EuroSimE 2025.
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