TDK intros haptics development starter kit

TDK Corp. has introduced a haptics development starter kit for fast prototyping, using the company’s PowerHap piezo actuators. The starter kit provides mechanical designers and engineers with an introduction to haptic feedback, along with showing how the mechanical integration works.

PowerHap piezo actuators offer fast haptic responses over a high frequency bandwidth in a compact package. Claiming crisp and sharp active haptic feedback, these piezo actuators provide high performance for acceleration, force and response time, according to TDK. They can be used in a variety of markets and products, such as automotive (steering wheels, displays, dashboards and buttons), smartphones, displays, tablets, household appliances, ATMs, vending machines, game controllers and VR gloves. Other applications include industrial equipment and medical devices.

PowerHap haptics development starter kit (Source: TDK Corp.)

The PowerHap Starter Kit (ordering code: Z63000Z2910Z01Z73) includes a seamless button assembly (including the PowerHap 1204H018V060 and PowerHap 1313H018V120), a round button assembly (including the PowerHap 1204H018V060), the BOS1901-Kit driver board from Boréas Technologies, additional PowerHap devices (including FPC connection cable), USB cable and a quick start user guide. It also provides a reference design that can be adapted to a variety of applications.

The BOS1901-Kit platform in the starter kit is pre-programmed for the seamless and round buttons, allowing engineers to experience sensing and haptics with the PowerHap actuators out-of-the-box, said TDK. The platform is easily customized and tailored for the application by adjusting the sensing detection parameters and the haptic feedback waveform. (The BOS1901 piezoelectric actuator driver was first introduced in 2019.)