You may not realise it, but most of us use virtual buttons every day. Each time you operate your smartphone or use a self-service checkout, you’re using ‘soft keys’ – the images that act as buttons on touch screen technology.

For most of us, they are a handy and efficient way of navigating modern life. But for those who are vision impaired, these virtual buttons present a difficult challenge.

Dr Anusha Withana from the University of Sydney believes he may have the solution. He is developing electronic skin that would deliver phone-like vibrations so vision impaired people can better navigate the technology.