CES 2012: The buzz behind ViviTouch and vibration tech

Consumers have grown accustomed to high-definition audio and video on their portable devices. But tech company Artificial Muscle, part of Bayer MaterialScience, believes they're ready for high-definition touch.

The company is pushing to add "haptics" to smartphones, game controllers and other handheld devices to deliver a more realistic rumbling while playing games or through simple navigation.

The ViviTouch technology involves an electroactive polymer film that expands when hit with voltage. When the polymer is activated through inputs on a phone or controller, it will create that vibrating sensation. Representatives at Artificial Muscle say the tech will use 70% less battery power compared with traditional vibration.

ViviTouch handles a range of frequencies, so the vibration effect can vary depending on the action a user performs. So, that rumbling in a smartphone feels much more accurate than traditional vibration features.

I experienced this hands-on with a special case that wraps an iPod Touch, moving a ball through a maze. As the ball hit each wall along the four sides of the screen, I could feel the phone shake gently right in that area.

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Another example demonstrated was through a prototype HTC smartphone featuring the built-in haptics. Playing a round of Fruit Ninja, the device responded with short rumbles on every swipe across the screen.

Although games should benefit greatly from this technology, the haptics introduce other interesting perks. It makes tasks such as scrolling and typing feel more tactile. In the first case, when perusing the contacts list, the device would rumble to simulate a clicking wheel.

The tech also hints at the possibility of specific vibrating tones that work like ringtones but through touch. So, instead of hearing a ringtone of "Smoke on the Water," a user would "feel" the song rumbling in their pockets.

Another prototype featured haptics in a Xbox 360 controller, which seemed to offer a better experience with rumble technology. During one sequence involving a motorcycle, the controller shook as the driver revved the bike. Once it fully powered up, the controller hummed precisely as the bike would.

Artificial Muscle hopes to have more products with ViviTouch on shelves in 2012. However, for those seeking a taste right now, they sell the Mophie Pulse video game/app enhancer for Apple's fourth-generation iPod Touch.