# Tactile Touchscreen Technology The Zen Tablet Was Designed with the Blind in Mind By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-08-18 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zen-tablet References: [industrialdesignserved](http://www.industrialdesignserved.com/gallery/ZEN/930449) Touchscreen technology offers such great potential for multimedia user interaction, but one can't help but feel like something is still missing. The clever Rene Lee has taken a step further with the development of the Zen tablet, offering a brilliant graphical display in conjunction with a [tactile one](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tactile-sensing-infrastructure). Fingertips can do so much more than simply poke to convey commands, and this gadget takes full advantage. The Zen z-axis enabled device projects oscillating pixel rods that output [three dimensional textures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tactile-digital-comics). Such a capability would be quite attractive to the visually impaired user, given the possibilities for presenting [braille script](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brailledoodle) and embossed computing icons. The Zen tablet even incorporates a sonic pointing system to direct users' tactile attention to specific locations on the screen with one speaker built into each corner. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Multi-sensory Interfaces:** The development of devices that combine tactile and graphical displays opens up new opportunities for multi-sensory user interaction. - **Inclusive Technology:** The integration of braille script and embossed computing icons in touchscreen devices provides innovative and inclusive solutions for visually impaired users. - **Sonic Feedback Systems:** The incorporation of sonic pointing systems in touchscreen devices enables users to receive tactile feedback through sound, revolutionizing the way users navigate on-screen content. ### Where This Applies - **Consumer Electronics:** The development of tactile touchscreen technology presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the consumer electronics industry, particularly for devices aimed at enhancing user accessibility. - **Assistive Technology:** The Zen tablet and similar devices offer significant disruptive innovation potential in the field of assistive technology, improving accessibility and enhancing the user experience for individuals with visual impairments. - **User Interface Design:** The introduction of multi-sensory interfaces and new feedback systems in user interface design presents exciting disruptive innovation opportunities for enhancing user interaction and engagement. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Content-Creation Touchscreen Tablets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touchscreen-tablet.md) - [Inclusive Smartphone Control Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/assistive-key-device.md) - [Tactile Accessible Mobile Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/accessible-mobile-technology.md) - [Accessible Keyboard-Like Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multidimensional-communication.md) - [Fingertip Haptic Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voxelite.md) - [Unified Control Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-id360-touchstone.md) - [Braille-Equipped Memo Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/memo-device.md) - [Fluid-Filled Tactile OLED Screens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flat-panel-haptics.md) - [Redefined Braille E-Readers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dotary-device.md)