Haptic Fingerprint

Haptic fingerprint — what is it?

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Within product development and planning, the so-called haptic fingerprint plays a supporting role. But what is it about …in the first place?
Based on the assumption that our sense of touch, i.e. haptics, plays a decisive role of the purchase decision, our research has already been influenced for many years to create an objectifiable haptic fingerprint that can be measurable. This technical development introduced us to some challenges. Here we would like to try to structure and comprehensible our steps to an extremely satisfying result.
Since every surface can feel different for every person, it is it is necessary to use the same measurement parameters for all surfaces. If two materials, which we compare with each other, feel strongly different, such as aluminum, which feels very cold, and plastic, which feels comparatively very warm, then the interpersonal Match very high, close to 100%. If the differences are not so great, there are often people who judge differently in comparison. This can be influenced by the form of the day, the time of day, gender, etc.
To represent a multidimensional haptic fingerprint, different descriptors were defined. These are:

Macro-roughness
Micro-roughness
Contact temperature
Hardness / Softness
Stick-Slip
Slipperiness

On the basis of these indicators, we are able to identify the most varied materials and provide objective results. First, we defined the physical parameters of a surface.

Here you find a practical application of four different material combinations and the different haptic fingerprints.

Example Haptic fingerprint

Haptic descriptors Macro-roughness Micro-roughness Contact temperature Hardness / Softness Stick-Slip Slipperiness

›Structures which can be seen with the bare eye

›Structures that are not visible

›Interestingly, this already arises from the visual impression. If the eye has a metallic surface, the sense of touch “expects” a cool, soft touch Sensation. However, if the surface is made of plastic, it is not as cool like metal, even if it’s the same color. The resulting Discrepancy between expectation and reality leads to irritation. In the industry, therefore a paint was invented specifically for this purpose, to feel cool. This achieves the so-called cooltouch.

›The perceived hardness of a material surface

›Another important descriptor. It acts as the haptic perception through friction while sliding over the surface of the a surface. This effect creates an immediate Feedback: for example, does a surface feel “froggy”, as in case of a artificial leather in the car, this can negatively influence the purchase decision — some people may find such sensations extremely uncomfortable. We’ve found a way to measure this with stick– slip effects, i.e. the sensations that occur when repeatedly pushing away and Stops arise, measure and prove which parameters changed can or should be used to achieve an improvement in the objective haptic to the perception.

›Easiness to continuously move your finger along a surface