Imagine squeezing a cushion to turn off your lights, or feeling your backpack gently press your shoulder to guide you on a walk.
Thanks to new technology developed at the University of Bath, these futuristic ideas are now much closer to reality.
Researchers have created a system called HydroHaptics that allows soft, flexible objects to not only respond to human touch but also provide realistic feedback—while remaining soft and pliable.
This breakthrough means that tapping, twisting, or pinching everyday items like cushions, clothing, or even a soft computer mouse could soon control devices, give directions, or enhance digital experiences.
What makes HydroHaptics different is its ability to deliver high-quality haptic (touch-based) feedback without changing the natural softness of the object.
Previous attempts at soft interactive surfaces often felt stiff or could only provide limited sensations.
Bath’s system solves this by using a liquid-filled chamber and a compact motor to transmit forces.
As a result, users can feel sharp clicks, vibrations, or varying resistance, even though the object stays soft and flexible.
The research team, led by Professor Jason Alexander from Bath’s Department of Computer Science, presented their work at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST 2025) in Busan, Korea, where it earned an honorable mention award.
To demonstrate the technology, the team embedded HydroHaptics into four prototypes: a cushion, a backpack, a computer mouse, and a joystick. In the cushion, pressing or squeezing could control smart home devices.
The backpack used gentle taps on the shoulder strap to deliver notifications or give navigation cues, freeing users from staring at their phones.
A silicone-domed mouse let people sculpt 3D objects on a screen by pressing and deforming the surface, while the joystick enhanced gaming with tactile resistance and impact feedback.
Professor Alexander believes HydroHaptics could change how we interact with technology. “With this system, we can finally add realistic haptic feedback into soft objects without losing their flexibility. Imagine leaning on a cushion while watching a car chase, and the cushion vibrates as the car hits a rough road, or stiffens when someone slams into a wall on screen,” he explained.
James Nash, a Ph.D. student who co-led the study, added that no other soft-interface technology has achieved the same level of realism, precision, and scale. Most existing systems produce only low-quality or highly localized feedback, whereas HydroHaptics works across the entire surface.
The next step is to refine the system’s motor and haptic engine so it can be made smaller and more practical for commercial use. According to Alexander, if development continues at its current pace, HydroHaptics could appear in consumer products within just a year or two.
This opens the door to a tactile future where the objects we sit on, wear, or carry could become responsive, interactive partners in our daily lives.
Source: University of Bath.
