Flexible haptic actuator suited for wearables

The two companies have been working together for several months and have targeted production prototype delivery in the summer of 2016, with plans for production starting in early 2017.

Dr. Philip Lessner, Senior Vice President and CTO, KEMET, commented: “Our expertise in film-based capacitor manufacturing is a perfect match for the needs of the Novasentis haptic technology. We will be able to use our existing manufacturing lines to develop mass production quantities of actuators. The collaboration with Novasentis allows KEMET to further its reach into emerging markets including wearables.”

This collaboration is aimed at providing the most advanced haptic technology in the world with the assurance of supply that KEMET is known for. The EMP film actuators act as a second skin for devices, capable of providing meaningful localised haptic and audio feedback for hundreds of uniquely distinct alerts. These haptic actuators are thinner, lighter and a more powerful alternative to other whole-body haptic solutions using outdated buzzy motors or high-voltage benders. This technology is already being designed into wearable devices by OEMs.

“Our partnership with KEMET allows Novasentis to focus on technology development and leverage world class manufacturing to support consumer electronics companies worldwide. Our haptic technology offers a unique value proposition which has been validated by OEMs designing next-gen wearable devices," added Francois Jeanneau, President and CEO, Novasentis.

Together, KEMET and Novasentis are working to create unrivalled market-leading technology and high volume availability of sensory-rich haptic components to the wearable device market.