Apparatuses, systems, and methods for actuating a contact surface

A system comprising:

• a plurality of haptic feedback apparatuses, wherein each haptic feedback apparatus comprises:
• a plurality of actuator chambers, wherein each actuator chamber comprises:
• a flexible material layer that is configured to contain a volume of fluid such that changing the volume of fluid contained within the actuator chamber causes the actuator chamber to distort at least along an actuation axis;
• and
• an inlet that enables an external control system to change the volume of fluid contained within the actuator chamber;
• a contact surface that is coupled to each actuator chamber in the plurality of actuator chambers;
• and
• a support framework that is coupled to the plurality of actuator chambers such that:
• the plurality of actuator chambers is disposed between the support framework and the contact surface;
• and
• distortion of actuator chambers in the plurality of actuator chambers causes the plurality of actuator chambers to exert forces on the contact surface, thereby causing movement of the contact surface with at least two degrees of freedom;
• and
• a flexible support component that is configured to fit over a user's hand and hold the contact surface of each haptic feedback apparatus in physical contact with a corresponding portion of the user's hand.

A method comprising:

• altering an internal pressure of an actuation chamber within a plurality of actuator chambers, wherein:
• each actuator chamber comprises:
• a flexible material layer that is configured to contain a volume of fluid such that changing the volume of fluid contained within the actuator chamber causes the actuator chamber to distort at least along an actuation axis;
• and
• an inlet that enables an external control system to change the volume of fluid contained within the actuator chamber;
• each actuator chamber in the plurality of actuator chambers is disposed between and coupled to both a support framework and a contact surface;
• and
• the support framework is configured to hold the contact surface in physical contact with a user's finger;
• and
• by altering the internal pressure of the actuation chamber, distorting the actuation chamber, thereby causing the actuation chamber to exert a force on the contact surface along the actuation axis of the actuation chamber and causing movement of the contact surface with at least two degrees of freedom.