Virtual reality advances technology to engage our five senses. This time, the focus of our article is haptic technology.
Let's see what it's all about.
What is haptic technology?
The word haptics refers to the science of touch. Just as acoustics refers to the sensations of hearing and optics to sight, haptics refers to touch.
Haptic technology provides ways to recreate the sense of touch through vibrations that, when used with other senses such as sight and hearing, can make virtual reality feel real.
Types of Haptic Technology: Advances and Applications
1. Vibration Actuators
One of the simplest and most common types of haptic technology is vibration actuators . These devices create a sense of touch through vibrations of varying intensities and frequencies. Vibration actuators are found in most smartphones, smartwatches, and video game controllers.
In these devices, the actuator converts an electrical signal into movement, creating a vibration that the user perceives as tactile feedback. In mobile phones, for example, users experience vibrations when receiving a notification or during interaction with the touch interface.
Advantages :
- Simplicity in its implementation.
- Low manufacturing cost.
- Ideal for basic notifications and responses when interacting with the device.
2. Force Feedback Technology
Force feedback goes a step further than simple vibrations, allowing the user to feel variations in the force applied during their interactions. This technology is primarily used in video game controllers, simulators, and virtual reality (VR) devices. Unlike vibration actuators, force feedback systems generate resistance in the controls, simulating more complex tactile sensations, such as the grip of an object or the resistance when moving a lever.
In video game controllers, for example, force feedback can simulate the feeling of driving a vehicle, the vibration of a gun when fired, or the resistance of a bow when drawn. This technology uses motors with actuators that adjust the force based on the interaction being simulated.
Advantages :
- It offers a more immersive and realistic experience.
- It is used in applications that require simulation of physical interactions, such as flight simulators or racing video games.
3. Haptic Ultrasound Technology
Haptic ultrasound technology is a more recent advancement in the haptic technology industry, which uses ultrasonic waves to create tactile sensations in the air without the need for direct physical contact. This type of technology is capable of generating "tactile sensations" in the air, which can be felt by the user by moving their hand within a field of ultrasonic waves.
Haptic ultrasound is primarily used in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices, where physical contact with an object isn't possible. For example, AR headset users could "feel" the texture of a virtual object using ultrasound, adding an extra layer of realism to the immersive experience.
Advantages :
- It does not require direct physical contact.
- It offers a more precise tactile sensation in three-dimensional space.
- Potential to revolutionize device interaction without the need for touchscreens or physical surfaces.
4. Electrotactile Technology
Electrotactile technology is based on the use of low-intensity electrical impulses to stimulate nerve endings in the skin. This technology is capable of creating sensations such as the texture of an object, heat, cold, and even pressure, through electrical stimulation.
Used primarily in portable and wearable devices, electrotactile technology has applications in medicine (for example, for people with touch disabilities), the entertainment industry (to enhance virtual reality experiences), and in user interfaces for mobile devices. Devices with this technology can offer precise tactile feedback without the need for mechanical components.
Advantages :
- Able to simulate a wider range of tactile sensations (such as temperature or texture).
- It requires no mechanical components, allowing for thinner and lighter designs.
5. Piezoelectric Actuator Technology
Piezoelectric actuators use materials that change shape or size when an electrical voltage is applied. This technology is used in more advanced haptic feedback applications, such as touchscreens that respond more precisely to touch. Piezoelectric actuators can generate highly detailed tactile sensations, such as the vibration of a virtual button on a touchscreen, or even simulate complex textures on a device's surface.
Piezoelectric technology is especially useful in touchscreens without physical buttons, allowing users to "feel" interactions that have no visible mechanical components.
Advantages :
- High precision in tactile responses.
- Allows tactile feedback on flat surfaces without the need for moving components.
5 Uses of Haptic Technology in Various Sectors
1. Video Games and Virtual Reality (VR) Simulators
In the entertainment industry, especially in video games and virtual reality (VR) simulators, haptic technology has revolutionized the way players interact with content. Haptic controllers , such as the PlayStation 5 DualSense , use vibrations and force feedback to simulate physical sensations such as the texture of an object, the resistance of a trigger, or the vibration of an engine in a vehicle. This feedback enhances immersion, making players feel a greater connection to the game environment.
Additionally, in virtual reality simulators (such as those used for military training or in flight simulators), haptic technology allows you to feel forces such as acceleration or turbulence, increasing the realism of the experience.
2. Medical Devices and Rehabilitation
In the medical field, haptic technology is beginning to have a significant impact, especially in rehabilitation devices and robot-assisted surgery . Tactile feedback systems allow physicians and surgeons to sense tissue resistance or the precision needed to perform delicate movements during procedures. For example, surgical robots with haptic feedback provide tactile sensations so the surgeon can "feel" the pressure when cutting or inserting an implant.
In the rehabilitation of patients with injuries or motor disabilities, haptic devices allow patients to receive feedback on their movements, helping them train their muscles and improve their motor coordination. This technology is being used in exoskeletons and other assistive devices, providing a more effective and natural experience.
3. Augmented Reality (AR) Devices
In the field of augmented reality (AR) , haptic technology is being used to enhance users' sensory experiences. AR devices , such as smart glasses, already allow users to interact with virtual objects projected onto the real world. By integrating haptic feedback, users can "feel" these objects, for example, by touching a virtual representation of a ball or surface. This combination of visualization and haptic feedback enhances immersion and provides a more natural interaction.
Additionally, in industrial training and education applications using AR, haptic feedback helps users perform practical tasks, such as assembling parts or performing repairs, by sensing the resistance or impact of movements.
4. User Interfaces on Mobile Devices
Haptic technology in mobile devices is present in a wide range of functions, from notification vibrations to haptic feedback on displays. Apple, for example, uses the Taptic Engine in its iPhones to provide highly accurate haptic feedback, such as taps when interacting with the touch interface. This system offers subtle yet effective tactile feedback when the user taps a button, performs a gesture, or receives a notification, improving the user experience and making the device more intuitive.
Haptic feedback is also used in navigation systems and mobile games, providing additional tactile responses that enrich interaction without the need for physical buttons.
5. Automobiles and Navigation Systems
In the automotive industry, haptic feedback systems are becoming an integral part of the driving experience, particularly in the design of navigation systems and touch controls . Automakers are integrating haptic feedback technologies into their touchscreens and steering wheels to provide drivers with a more interactive and safer experience.
For example, when using the navigation system, a driver can receive haptic feedback when approaching a curve or when tapping an option on the touchscreen control system, minimizing visual distraction by allowing the driver to "feel" the directions. Additionally, haptic steering wheels can be used to alert the driver to nearby objects or warn of lane departures, providing a more intuitive approach to road safety.
Example of haptic technology, haptic virtual reality vest: VR TactSuit X 40
This is a wireless VR vest compatible with almost any device using Bluetooth. You can also connect it with an audio cable, although this is not included. When using it with Bluetooth, you won't notice any delays in connectivity, so you'll be 100% immersed in the game.
This vest model features 40 haptic motors that are independent of each other, meaning you have 40 sensitive points where you'll receive vibrations that you can control independently. Twenty of these motors are on the front and the other twenty are on the back.
The vest's compatibility with games isn't determined by the hardware itself, but rather by the game you choose to play. In some games, you'll only be able to use certain sensors, not all 40, while in others, you'll be able to use all 40.
Ready to experience your own virtual reality?
Buy your TactSuit X 40 VR vest, don't let anyone else tell you about it and explore haptic technology.