
Here's a neat material technology you can integrate into your next product concept: Thin film tactile surface sensors. Sensor Products Inc. is a company specializing in the mapping of tactile pressure, and the data they glean can lead to design improvements for everything from windshield wipers to mattresses to body armor.
A few examples: Their Tactilus Real-Time Surface Pressure Mapping Technology, for example, is an electronic skin that precisely measures pressure distribution and magnitude and relays that data to a computer; their Bodyfitter surface sensor measures seat surface, back rest and head rest pressure for furniture and wheelchairs; and they even make a Damage Indicating Paint that can be sprayed onto a product or part--and once a predetermined amount of contact pressure is applied, microcapsules suspended in the paint will burst, revealing the precise wear spot as a different color.

Check out their dozens of applications and products here.
Comments
Ha! I'm using this on a seating surface project right now. It's really cool to see the output graphics in real time as you shift your weight and change padding.
Also a little disturbing to see odd bulges and such. It brings out what clothes hide!
It's really a good invention. I design beds. I am sure that this sensor will bring an innovation in bed design. New bed is coming.