You'll Have to Pinch This Elastic Touchscreen to Believe It's Real – Video

As if flexible displays weren't enough of a Sci Fi leap, MIT researchers have invented an elastic touchscreen, of all things.

That's right, Dhairya Dand and Rob Hemsley have revealed a display that lets you pinch it and can return to its previous state afterwards.

Depth cameras measure movements each time you pinch or pull at it. Then, they tell linear actuators to manipulate the surface accordingly.

Basically, the two scientists have invented a material that may add tactile feedback to touch-based phones, tablets and laptops.

That means creating “mountains” of stretched fabric when pulled and resisting when pushed.

In a way, it is an alternative to displays that can “grow” buttons when the on-screen keyboard pops up.

The MIT pair have named the new panel “Obake” and have combined a 3D surface with a 3D projection.