This research service provides insights on key emerging trends and technologies in the field of haptics and touch technology that are reshaping the human-computer interaction experience.

Advances in Haptics and Touch Technologies have a Domino Effect on Product Innovation in End-user Industries

 There is not likely to be a let up in the constant stream of innovations in haptics and touch technologies due to the heavy demand from high-volume applications such as smart phones, portable gaming devices, navigation devices, media players, digital cameras, tablet computers, and e-readers. While touch technology pervades applications such as automated teller machines (ATMs) casinos, medical, automotive, and aerospace, haptics technology has found the most takers in the medical and gaming arena. A major section of the market for touch-based products is expected to adopt haptics due to the enhanced user experience delivered by the combined technologies. Haptics and touch technologies provide a real-time experience, which, in turn, significantly improves the understanding of the process and the time consumed in executing a specific task. Feedback from the device further enhances the end-user experience and facilitates real-world simulation. Participants across industries have been striking strategic partnerships to best implement these technologies. “Acquisitions and partnerships are propelling the growth of this market, especially with start-up companies that are focused on improving touch interfaces,” says the analyst of this research. “Innovative touch technologies developed by start-ups are also being licensed by the bigger companies to enhance existing technologies.” University researches and funding activities play a vital role in expanding the reach of these technologies.

 However, there is a flip side to this huge rise in the adoption of touch screens in high-volume markets. The mass uptake has resulted in a new set of criteria and requirements for touch technology providers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and application software developers. Consumers are becoming increasingly demanding about factors such as response time, resolution, accuracy, and durability of the touch screen. The adoption rate of haptics technology has also suffered due to ineffective system integration and lack of awareness. Industry participants have to actively educate end users about the benefits of haptics and ensure smooth system integration to guarantee the delivery of feedback at the appropriate time. Touch screens offer ease of use, speed, and accuracy and reduces the time taken to learn new applications. “Touch screens provide a computer interface that is fast and easy to use and does not require extensive training to be used and are deployed in shopping malls, supermarkets, banks, and casinos,” notes the analyst of this research. “Owing to the ease of use and intuitiveness that the touch screens offer, there are considerable cost savings and productivity improvements.”

 Haptics is expected to ride the coattails of touch screens’ popularity, and is observed to play a key role in almost all sectors due to users’ preference for simplified user input mechanisms. It is particularly useful in the medical domain for simulation and training. Multitouch technology and the emergence of multitouch user interfaces have created a paradigm shift in human computer interaction (HCI). “Multitouch brings with it the ease of browsing, selecting options, handwriting and data entry, arranging and sizing windows and picking and dragging movements,” observes the analyst. “This technology allows users to interact with computers in a more natural and intuitive manner, taking HCI to the next level.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 1. Executive Summary
       
      Research Methodology and Scope
          o Research Scope
          o Research Methodology
   
      
      Key Findings and Industry Trends
          o Key Findings
          o Industry Trends

 2. Technology Snapshot and Trends 
       
      Touch Technology
          o Touch Technology Snapshot--Part I
          o Touch Technology Snapshot--Part II
          o Research and Development Initiatives
   
      
      Haptic Technology
          o Haptic Technology--Snapshot and Trends
          o Haptic Devices and Interfaces--Snapshot
          o Research and Development Initiatives

 3. Impact Assessment and Analysis
       
      Market Impact of Key Innovations
          o Touch Technology Market
          o Haptic Technology Market
   
      
      Impact of Accelerators and Challenges
          o Technology/Business Accelerators
          o Technology/Business Inhibitors

 4. Diffusion of Innovations and Needs Assessment
       
      Technology Adoption
          o Touch Technology Adoption in End-User Segments
   
      
      Integration Trends and Demand Side Analysis
          o Integration of Haptics and Touch Technology
          o Demand Side Analysis

 5. Application Roadmap and Business Trends
       
      Application Roadmap
          o The Future - Multi-touch Technology
          o Haptic Technology
   
      
      Industry Relations and Partnerships
          o Business Trends and Funding: Touch Technology Market
          o Haptic Technology Industry Business Trends

 6. Patents and Key Contacts
       
      Patent Analysis
          o Touch Technology Patents--I
          o Haptic Technology Patents--II
   
      
      Key Contacts
          o Industry Participants
          o University Contacts

 7. Decision Support Database
       
      Decision Support Database Tables
          o Total Personal Computers Installed Base--World (2004 to 2014)
          o Consumer Electronic Contribution to Electronic Industry -- World (2005 to 2015)
          o Mobile Penetration -- World (2004 to 2014)
          o Total Number of Specialized Medical Practitioners -- World (2004 to 2014)
          o Passenger Car Production -- World (2005 to 2015)