You are looking at a "force touch" [probably capacitive] matrix sensor. It's not unlike the "3D" sensor in the iPhone 6S. This not a project for a beginner unless you get the sensor and some IC that can already handle most of the data processing. With Apple having adopted this, you can expect more ICs for this to become more widely available.

In the mean-time you can read this Reuters story about who make similar tech screens: NextInput etc. And if you have the OEM pull of Apple:

• Taiwan's TPK Holding Co Ltd is a major supplier of Apple's 3D Touch, or Force Touch technology, according to supply chain sources. It provides touch sensors to makers of liquid crystal displays, which are installed inside the phone.

 
• Vibration motors are then installed during the final stage of product assembly. These motors are crucial in detecting signals from pressure sensors, which activate when a finger touches the screen. According to one industry source, Japan's Nidec Corp is likely to be the sole supplier of the motors, at least initially.

Earlier news stories reported that NextInput's force tech was going to be used in the iPhone 6S, but that seems not have been ultimately the case. I suspect these startups have some eval kits you can buy [if you call them, nothing listed on their sites], but if you want to replicate them from scratch... it's undoubtedly not for beginners.

... or maybe it is depending on the level of accuracy needed. The Arduino store lists a pressure matrix sensor: https://store.arduino.cc/product/MK00544

You are looking at a "force touch" [probably capacitive] matrix sensor. It's not unlike the "3D" sensor in the iPhone 6S. This not a project for a beginner unless you get the sensor and some IC that can already handle most of the data processing. With Apple having adopted this, you can expect more ICs for this to become more widely available.

In the mean-time you can read this Reuters story about who make similar tech screens: NextInput etc. And if you have the OEM pull of Apple:

• Taiwan's TPK Holding Co Ltd is a major supplier of Apple's 3D Touch, or Force Touch technology, according to supply chain sources. It provides touch sensors to makers of liquid crystal displays, which are installed inside the phone.

• Vibration motors are then installed during the final stage of product assembly. These motors are crucial in detecting signals from pressure sensors, which activate when a finger touches the screen. According to one industry source, Japan's Nidec Corp is likely to be the sole supplier of the motors, at least initially.

Earlier news stories reported that NextInput's force tech was going to be used in the iPhone 6S, but that seems not have been ultimately the case. I suspect these startups have some eval kits you can buy [if you call them, nothing listed on their sites], but if you want to replicate them from scratch... it's undoubtedly not for beginners.

... or maybe it is depending on the level of accuracy needed. The Arduino store lists a pressure matrix sensor: https://store.arduino.cc/product/MK00544

You are looking at a "force touch" [probably capacitive] matrix sensor. It's not unlike the "3D" sensor in the iPhone 6S. This not a project for a beginner unless you get the sensor and some IC that can already handle most of the data processing. With Apple having adopted this, you can expect more ICs for this to become more widely available.

In the mean-time you can read this Reuters story about who make similar tech screens: NextInput etc. And if you have the OEM pull of Apple:

• Taiwan's TPK Holding Co Ltd is a major supplier of Apple's 3D Touch, or Force Touch technology, according to supply chain sources. It provides touch sensors to makers of liquid crystal displays, which are installed inside the phone.

• Vibration motors are then installed during the final stage of product assembly. These motors are crucial in detecting signals from pressure sensors, which activate when a finger touches the screen. According to one industry source, Japan's Nidec Corp is likely to be the sole supplier of the motors, at least initially.

Earlier news stories reported that NextInput's force tech was going to be used in the iPhone 6S, but that seems not have been ultimately the case. I suspect these startups have some eval kits you can buy [if you call them, nothing listed on their sites], but if you want to replicate them from scratch... it's undoubtedly not for beginners.

You are looking at a "force touch" [probably capacitive] matrix sensor. It's not unlike the "3D" sensor in the iPhone 6S. This not a project for a beginner unless you get the sensor and some IC that can already handle most of the data processing. With Apple having adopted this, you can expect more ICs for this to become more widely available.

In the mean-time you can read this Reuters story about who make similar tech screens: NextInput etc. And if you have the OEM pull of Apple:

• Taiwan's TPK Holding Co Ltd is a major supplier of Apple's 3D Touch, or Force Touch technology, according to supply chain sources. It provides touch sensors to makers of liquid crystal displays, which are installed inside the phone.

• Vibration motors are then installed during the final stage of product assembly. These motors are crucial in detecting signals from pressure sensors, which activate when a finger touches the screen. According to one industry source, Japan's Nidec Corp is likely to be the sole supplier of the motors, at least initially.

Earlier news stories reported that NextInput's force tech was going to be used in the iPhone 6S, but that seems not have been ultimately the case. I suspect these startups have some eval kits you can buy [if you call them, nothing listed on their sites], but if you want to replicate them from scratch... it's undoubtedly not for beginners.

... or maybe it is depending on the level of accuracy needed. The Arduino store lists a pressure matrix sensor: https://store.arduino.cc/product/MK00544