We can all agree that touch is one of the major experiences as human beings. It allows people to feel the item in place far better than they would do with their eyes and ears. Unfortunately, most of the digital world relies on sight and sound to connect with virtual worlds. This might not be long as the haptic technology is changing how we experience virtual worlds.
It works by stimulating tactile sensations through forces, vibrations, and nerve tricks. Its rise started in the gaming world but may soon be available in other fields as we have discussed in the article below. Let’s dive into some facts and features of this technology and what it holds for humanity in the future.
Haptic Technology in Gaming
The haptic tech first came into gaming in 1997 with the introduction of Nintendo’s Rumble Pak for the N64. At the time, it was just a chunky add-on to the game that buzzed during high-octane moments in games. However, despite being chunky, it kept players in touch with the chaos that was happening in the digital world. Two decades down the line, PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller redefined the standard. It has adaptive triggers that tighten to mimic a bowstring’s pull, while pinpoint vibration motors ripple to simulate raindrops or gravel crunching underfoot. This gives the game some deep immersion.
It is expected that this technology will grow in the future and cover other types of games like first shooter games, esports, and online casinos. Websites like Blackjack.Guide will be awash with updates on tactile games in their reviews and gaming guides.
How far are we towards this reality? Interestingly, we are closer to it than you can imagine. There are prototypes in the market that are already ditching controllers in gaming. For example, HaptX, a haptic pioneer, has developed gloves with microfluidic actuators. It has tiny air channels that press against your skin to mimic textures and resistance. In a demonstration, users felt the heft of a virtual hammer or the kick of a gun’s recoil on the palm and fingertips. The only downside is the cost and complexity of the item.
Virtual Reality will Touch the Intangible
It is unfortunate that virtual reality promises to transport us anywhere around the globe and universe but without touch. You feel surrounded by environments that feel real but lack that authentic touch. However, the entry of tactile technology might be the game changer. Early systems like the Oculus Touch controllers offered basic vibrations. It could signal you are picking something but did not feel quite real. Fortunately, today’s prototypes are closing the sensory gap.
For example, HaptX Gloves DK2 pack 133 tactile points per hand, letting you feel the shape and stiffness of virtual objects. During tests, users were able to distinguish between a hard brick and a soft sponge. It is expected that VR will get better at this with added training.
Meta and Carnegie Mellon Focus on a Different Angle
Meta Reality Labs are taking tactile technology to a different level. It has created haptic wristbands that use vibrations and air puffs to stimulate touch without forcing the users to wear bulky gloves. In demos, users were able to catch virtual balls, type on phantom keyboards, and touch surfaces as if they were real. With this angle, tactile technology could be more user-friendly.
On the other hand, Carnegie Mellon is creating ultrasonic haptics that use sound waves to create mid-air pressure points. Interestingly, during a demo, users were able to pet a virtual cat without wearing any gear. They reported that they could feel its fur through invisible waves.
Future Applications in Remote Surgery
Apart from the use in entertainment, haptic technology could have real-world utility uses. One of them is in medicine. In the conventional world, patients are required to travel far to meet surgeons. What if surgeons could extend their hands virtually and perform surgeries from wherever they are. One of the systems that is incorporating this is the da Vinci Surgical System. This telesurgery system added haptic feedback in its 2024 da Vinci 5 model. Surgeons feel tissue resistance or suture tension through the controls, making robotic incisions less like guesswork and more like traditional surgery. It’s already in use for prostatectomies and heart repairs, proving haptics can save lives.
Another prototype, FundamentalVR, pairs haptic gloves with VR simulations. It lets trainees feel the difference between slicing muscle or bone. In a 2023 spinal surgery demo, users gauged needle depth by touch alone. This level of detail could shorten learning curves for complex procedures. The University of Tokyo is also developing gloves that could allow surgeons to palpate tumors using robotic arms.
The world of haptic technology is growing at unprecedented speed. It could have more uses in the physical world besides gaming. As new technologies such as virtual reality and 5G become center stage, haptic tech could help with remote diagnosing, virtual travels, surgeries, and shopping at levels that almost feel natural. Gaming will be the biggest beneficiary as the technology will make it feel as if players are in a real field when combined with VR. We can only wait to see what the future holds for the technology.
