This is some awesome technology from Tactus Technology.
It is called a dynamic tactile touchscreen.
Here’s how it works:
When you want to type with a tablet or other touchscreen display, not only do you see a QWERTY keyboard, but also the buttons actually rise out of of the flatscreen display–for a tactile typing experience.
Using microfluidics, the fluids in the screen actually change shape–and form buttons.
When your done typing, the keyboard buttons melt away back down into the screen.
It all happens in a split second and has negligible impact on power consumption (i.e. less than 1%).
This type of tactile experience with computer displays can be used for tablets, smartphones, gaming devices, and I would imagine even SCADA devices (e.g. for turning a dial, pulling a level, etc. all virtually on a monitor).
Goodbye physical controls and hello magic touchscreen–presto chango. 😉
andyblumenthal 