Apple earlier this year unveiled a new trackpad for the MacBook that can detect how hard or soft a user presses. New company Sensel has a similar idea with the Sensel Morph, which is described as the first pressure-sensitive, multi-touch input device.
The Sensel Morph is sized similar to the iPad mini and has 20,000 pressure sensors embedded within it as part of the company's patented Pressure Grid technology. The device will allow users to interact with their computers and software in an entirely new way.
A Kickstarter campaign for the Sensel Morph has been launched and, with only three hours into it, the campaign has already raised its initial goal of $60,000. At the time of writing, close to 500 backers have already pledged a total of more than $120,000 to the device, with the campaign now looking to reach the stretch goal of $250,000 so that the Sensel Morph will be shipped within a custom sleeve that will hold the device and its accessories.
In a demonstration to The Verge, the Sensel Morph was said to be able to detect even the softest pressure, even picking up a paintbrush's bristles as it glided through the Sensel Morph's surface. The input appeared right away in a wired connection from the input device to a PC or Mac, with the input very slightly delayed when connected via Bluetooth to an iPad.
The more interesting aspect of the Sensel Morph is what the company calls the overlays, which are thin covers that can be placed on top of the input device. The overlay transforms the surface of the Sensel Morph into other, more recognizable devices such as a computer keyboard, piano keyboard, gamepad, DJ controller and many more, all while maintaining the pressure sensitivity of the Sensel Morph.
Sensel is planning to release 10 overlays initially, with a few of them shipping with every purchased Sensel Morph. Sensel, however, is also encouraging users to create their very own overlays with 3D printers. The company is even developing an app to allow users without knowledge in coding to link specific parts of their personal overlays to certain commands, which will allow users to create overlays that are custom-fit to their needs.
Early bird backers were able to reserve a unit of the Sensel Morph for only $199, with the next funding tier now requiring backers to pledge $249 to receive the device, which is expected to ship in June of next year.
