Haptics End of the Year Round-up
Haptics End of the Year Round-up
The most popular posts, tech, and content from the haptics industry in 2022
Dear Haptics Industry Insider,
Ready or not, the year is coming to an end. This edition looks at the most popular posts, tech, and content from the haptics industry in 2022, along with all the juiciest news from this month.
From the buzz-worthy developments in automotive haptics to the tingle-inducing advancements in consumer devices, there’s a lot to cover, so let's get started:
Most Popular Editions of 2022
From CES to Christmas, here are the top 3 most popular “All Things Haptics” newsletter editions.
August 2022 - Standards - e-racing, acquisitions, and XR
Key Takeaway - Automotive studies show physical buttons are less time-consuming than touchscreens (Car and Driver).
October 2022 - Haptic Skin, Reinventing the wheel, and Haptics Batterygate
Key Takeaway - The most clicked content is related to events, including haptics-dedicated events like Smart Haptics and Haptic Standards.
January 2022 - New Year and CES Edition
Key Takeaway - This month was all about CES tech! Notably, media coverage on haptic trackpads in laptops (Digital Trends) and fun one-off gizmos like the Picoo (Venture Beat).
Top Tech of 2022
We look at some of the most popular haptics tech trends in 2022.
Playstation 5 Controller - Since its launch in January 2022, this triple-haptic-motor threat has caused a buzz almost monthly. Many people take credit for the tech and experience, so I don’t know who to believe. What I do know is, this device continues to be the industry's benchmark.
Haptics in the Automotive Industry - What will the future of automotive interiors be? There’s a lot of speculation in the industry and a growing number of players in the space. Not shocking considering how it’s a “promising market,” especially in terms of haptic motors per vehicle.
Haptic Gloves - From $60 DIY haptics gloves, the secret labs of Meta, HaptX’s cheaper gloves, WeTac’s wearable patches, and even bHaptics throwing their hat into the ring (YouTube), 2022 was a big year for haptic glove tech. Watch for upcoming announcements at CES 2023, like AI Silk and Contact CI.
Most Clicked Links in 2022
📱 Samsung and POSTECH show off a new “e-skin.” (Sam Mobile)
🕹️ Haptics in 1996 - A great reminder that it’s important to know where you've been to know where you're going with this short video shared by Haptics Club co-host Manu from Unity. (Twitter)
🫵 Multisensory Experiment - A powerful short video by Vova Kurbatov on the importance of haptic feedback for multisensory experiences. (Twitter)
This Month’s Latest News
I would never leave you hanging! Here’s the top content for December 2022.
🛞 Feel of the Wheel - Lexus’s new electric manual transmission will use haptics to mimic the feel of a traditional stick shift experience. The system should be “so realistic that drivers will be able to stall.” (Extreme Tech | EVO UK)
🧤Gloves That Promise to Replace Controllers - A new haptic glove by Diver-X, launched on Kickstarter, which is curiously compatible with Steam VR. (Virtual Reality Today | Road to VR)
🚴Haptic Biker Gang - The 2023 Indian Roadmaster Motorcycle is a road hog with new-age tech, including Apple Car-Play, a touchscreen, and heated and cooled seats with haptics. (Motorcycle Cruiser)
🎮 EA Strengthens Accessibility Patent Pledge With Haptic Feedback - Game maker Electronic Arts wants to increase diversity and inclusivity through its Accessibility Patent Pledge. This includes haptic feedback technologies designed to “boost the in-game experience for gamers through heightened sensory integration.” (Forbes)
🎨 HMI Design Software Beta Toolkit - By SmartSense Systems, the press release states that “This software will help accelerate HMI design by putting the control of touch, illumination, audio and haptics in one place to define and set an integrated user experience (UX).” (Fox News)
🚗 Honda on Haptics - The manufacturer plans on increasing its use of VR for design. “Especially in the vehicle interior, haptics is an important factor.” (Mixed News)
👟 Nike Launches Haptics Shoes - The Cryptokicks iRL features auto-lacing, enhanced lighting, haptic feedback, gesture control, walk detection, app connectivity, AI/ML algorithms and wireless charging via the RTFKT powerdeck. (Gulf Business)
🗞️ The Future of Entertainment? - Le Musk: A.R. Rahman’s Multi-Sensory Cinema is a 37-minute multi-sensory cinematic experience that combines cinema, motion, and scent to offer a “thrilling evolution of immersive entertainment.” (To Do Canada)
💸 Show Me The Money - The highly touted Quest Pro controller is now available for sale and is compatible with the Quest 2. Hang onto your hats, though, the CAD 459.99 is probably what you paid for your Quest 2 headset. (Mixed News)
🍎 Call Me Crazy - According to insiders, Apple is developing a foldable device. Imagine an entire keyboard with its advanced Taptic Engine! Not to mention the speculation there will be an iPhone 15 Pro with haptic solid-state volume and power buttons. (Deal N Tech)
😲 Shock Me Into Complacency - Another haptic shirt that wants to shock you silly is happening. Shockwave VR is a Kickstarter project from Singapore that got fully funded, overshooting its goal by 168.073% with 563 backers. (Kickstarter)
That’s it for now! Thanks so much for taking the time to read this month’s wrap-up. One of the goals of this newsletter is to get more people informed and excited about where the haptics industry is headed. Like it below or share it to show your support.
Did we miss something? Share your updates, events, and news, by reaching out to “All Things Haptics” founder Ashley Huffman on Twitter or Linkedin.