New advances in haptic simulation gloves! HaptX introduces the new product Gloves G1!

HaptX Gloves G1

HaptX, the company known for its force feedback haptic simulation gloves, recently announced the launch of pre-orders for the HaptX Gloves G1, which will be a cheaper and more sophisticated haptic glove device.

HaptX Gloves G1

The company says the new device includes several improvements over its predecessor. It offers significant improvements in ergonomics, glove size adjustment, wireless mobility and haptic experience.

How does the HaptX Gloves G1 work?

In order to replicate the sense of touch, the G1 needs to accomplish two basic tasks. First is haptics, the G1 has hundreds of microfluidic actuators built in that expand and contract to create a tactile sensation that goes beyond the experience provided by the normal motor vibrations in VR controllers. Second is power, the G1 is equipped with a force feedback system that gives the handheld virtual object a physical feel, which is accomplished through the glove’s built-in skeletal framework.

Gloves G1

Because the glove requires compressed air to inflate these microfluidic actuators, it’s also essential to have a companion to the glove – the Airpack, a wireless backpack that can be worn on the body or placed on a table. The company says the Airpack can operate for up to three hours on a single charge, without the need for a constant connection to an external power source.

Airpack

In addition, HaptX launched a software development kit that enables developers to bring a more realistic touch to users based on the hardware of the HaptX Gloves G1. HaptX said its SDK is optimized for enterprise and industrial use scenarios and provides plug-ins for Unreal Engine and Unity.

“With the HaptX Gloves G1, we can enable all organizations to take advantage of our realistic haptic simulation technology.” said Jake Rubin, Founder and CEO of HaptX. “Haptic simulation is the cornerstone of the next generation of human-computer interaction technology, and the opportunities are endless!”

Related Developments

In the field of haptic simulation, many high-tech companies are working fast and furiously on related technologies. As a technology giant, Microsoft is also exploring related technological inventions.

Microsoft haptic simulation gloves schematic

Microsoft conceived the haptic glove through a wired or wireless link to communicate with the head-up display device. Haptic gloves can detect the movement of the user’s hand through motion detectors. The haptic gloves contain motion detectors that can include bend sensors for joint detection, cameras, inertial measurement units, and other fingertip sensors.

The headset device can optionally be configured with different technical devices such as optical tracking, SLAM, magnetic tracking, and depth cameras to determine the position and physical motion of the haptic glove.

In the virtual world, different objects are marked with different haptic signatures. The haptic signature can associate a unique haptic sensation with the virtual object. Said unique haptic sensations can include, but are not limited to, a range of sensations such as sound, pressure, vibration, texture, air pressure, thermal effects, etc. Thus, when a user touches a virtual object using a haptic feedback device, the haptic signature can be used to simulate the sensations of the virtual object to help the user identify the state and properties of the virtual object.

Looking to the future

From “The Matrix” to “Ready Player One”, mankind’s imagination of fully immersive virtual worlds has never stopped. There are infinite possibilities in the vast world of virtual reality, and the continuous breakthroughs in this field are delightful, just as the original purpose of our website slogen – to explore the farthest boundaries of humanity!