How to Make Use of Haptic Technology

August 14, 2023

If you’ve been keeping up with trending technology, you may have come across the term “haptics.” While it’s still a relatively new concept, haptic technology has begun to infiltrate every aspect of the technological world.

This article will explain what haptic technology is and how you can make use of it in your everyday life.

What are haptics?

Haptic technology, also known as 3D Touch or kinesthetic communication, uses tactile sensations to stimulate the sense of touch in a user experience. For example, the direct application of haptic technology includes phone and game controller vibrations. Haptic science also revolves around tactile feedback, like air pressure or sound waves.

Haptic technology uses vibrations, motions, and other forces. Companies have been leveraging this kind of technology to create memorable brand experiences for consumers.

Haptic technology vs. haptic feedback

Since there are various terms around haptics, it can be helpful to know the differences between them. The terms defined include:

  • Haptic technology. This refers to the technical applications, whether virtual or physical, that create simulations.
  • Haptic feedback. This includes methods in which haptic technology communicates information to users.
  • Haptics. This science describes haptic feedback and haptic technology, along with neuroscience and the physiology of touch.

How can you incorporate haptics?

A study by the Association for Psychological Science found that participants could recall objects purely through touch 94% of the time. As the global user base grows, haptics will continue to expand into more areas.

Currently, companies can use haptics in four main ways — vibration, button simulation, thermal, and kinesthetic.

Vibration

For now, most haptic technology focuses on vibration-centric feedback. Technology like linear resonant actuators and eccentric rotating mass create most of the haptic experiences you encounter for mobile and wearable devices, like the vibration included with a game controller.

Button stimulation

Smart screens don’t offer tactical feedback like mechanical buttons. But as haptic technology becomes more popular, you can expect to see more simulated buttons, like the Apple Force Touch trackpad technology. Buttons can use haptic and audio feedback to mimic the feeling of a mechanical pad underneath your finger.

Thermal

Thermoelectric haptic effects can create a temperature-based experience. This happens by manipulating the flow of electrical currents between conductors on a device, typically one hot and one cold. This allows your users to perceive different temperatures.

Kinesthetic

Haptic feedback devices exist that can be mounted onto a body to create the sensation of mass, movement, and shape. For example, technology like the Dexmo haptic glove is one example of the growth available in the kinesthetic modality.

Types of haptic systems

There are three types of haptic systems:

  • Graspable: There are devices like joysticks that inform our nerves, tendons, muscles, and joints. An excellent example is human-controlled robotic operations that utilize graspable haptics systems.
  • Touchable: This is most widely used by consumers and involves technology that responds to user movements like taps or rotations.
  • Wearable: Wearable haptic systems rely on tactile stimuli, such as pressure, temperature, or vibration, controlled by nerves on the user’s skin. The closest wearable haptic technology is virtual reality products.

Want to know more about how to make use of haptic technology? Reach out to Doha Inc. today!

Haptic technology is an incredible way to interact with devices and experience media content in new and innovative ways. If you're looking for a more immersive way to play video games or want to add another level of realism to your virtual reality (VR) experiences, consider checking out haptic technology.

At Doha Inc., we offer unparalleled technology at an unbeatable price. With our monthly subscription fee, you can access a world of exceptional laptops, haptic tech, and more. If you’re interested in utilizing some of the world’s greatest tech, contact Doha Inc. today.

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