They have demonstrated an inexpensive device, the rotating wheel Braille display, that presents a stream of braille characters to the stationary fingertips. This device has been developed in cooperation with the NFB and was announced by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Samuel Bodman and Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the NFB on Oct. 24, 2002.

This device is a rotating wheel containing braille cells. Each cell contains a metal pin that is either in the up or down (hidden) position. The pins ride in one of two channels that constrain them from switching positions. Hidden under an edge of the curved display is a gap in the channels that allows three solenoids to push the pins into their proper positions.

This is a second-generation design that benefitted greatly from extensive usability testing. A working prototype was demonstrated at the ACB convention in July, 2001. This link points to a more complete description.

This research organization has also developed full-page tactile displays and prototype e-book readers.