Jobs, Tech, and Trends in Haptics This Month

November Edition of All Things Haptics

Hey Haptics Industry Insider,

Welcome to the latest edition of All Things Haptics, your trusted source for everything in the world of touch technology.

With the holidays approaching, it feels like the right moment to pause and appreciate both the progress we’ve made and the innovators who paved the way. Haptics is a field that thrives on fresh ideas and past wisdom, and I hope this newsletter highlights the inspiring work happening right now.

This month brings a blend of intriguing announcements, new products, job openings, and a few standout resources worth exploring.

Let’s dive right in!

Haptic Highlights

🍏 Prototype iPhone with Haptic Buttons - A rare iPhone prototype reportedly used to test haptic buttons, according to AppleDemoYT. (MacRumors)

🦺 Buzzworthy Kickstarter - Actronika's latest haptic vest is now on Kickstarter. They are currently seeking support to reach their production goals. (Kickstarter)

🫵 Targeted Touchscreen Feedback - Samsung’s new patent describes a display that provides vibration feedback only where you touch. (MSPoweruser)

✨ RFP to Standardize Haptic Primitives - The Haptics Industry Forum has issued a Request for Proposals to create a universal haptics API that standardizes haptic primitives, aiming to unify device interactions. (EIN News)

🪨 Metro Awakening with Head Rumble - The highly anticipated game is now out on PSVR2. There’s a video on the social media platform x.com of how the devs used headset and controller haptics to ‘heighten immersion.’ (Lastly)

🎖️ bHaptics Refreshes Haptic Lineup - bHaptics, known for its VR haptics tech, has rolled out a new generation of gear—the TactSuit Pro, TactSuit Air, and TactSleeve—supporting over 270 VR titles on Quest, PSVR 2, and PC VR. Pre-orders are available through November 26th. (Road to VR)

Haptic Career Openings

While company-based haptics roles are a bit sparse this month, there are several exciting opportunities in academia. Here’s a look at what’s currently available:

💼 Haptronic Solutions - Open roles available in Canada and China. They’re looking for curious minds in haptics and robotics. (Zip Recruiter)

🔨TITAN Haptics - Mechatronics Engineer Intern - Hardware. A hands-on opportunity to work on hardware at the intersection of engineering and design. (Indeed)

📱Huawei - Research Scientist, Haptic Interfaces. A research role focused on “pushing the boundaries” of haptic interfaces in user devices. (Kard1D1)

🦾Haply Robotics - Sales project coordinator. A coordinating role for those interested in project-based sales with a focus on robotics. (Indeed)

🦫 University of Alberta - Full Professor and Killam Memorial Chair in Robotics for Healthcare Applications. A senior academic role exploring the use of robotics and haptics in healthcare. (Indeed)

֎ Sanctuary AI - Expert Scientist in BC, Canada. An advanced research position focused on “Dexterous Manipulation,” exploring novel haptic for robotic applications. (Indeed)

🍎 Apple - A few open roles in the areas of haptics, including Haptics Product Design Engineer, Haptic Hardware Technology Development Engineer, Input device system design engineer, and even a Sensor Test Engineer role in Shenzhen.

🔵 Meta - 18 open roles related to haptics, including Software Architect - AR/VR and Haptics Research, Research Scientist Intern, Haptic Research (PhD), and Interaction Sound Designer.

🤖 University of Maryland Eastern Shore - Research Assistant Professor/Senior Researcher in Robotics in United States. A research-focused position dedicated to advancing robotics, with a focus on touch-based sensing. (Scholarship DB)

⚕️ Bentley University - Post-Doctoral Fellow (“Edge Perception in Touch”), United States. The icing on this is you would get to work with Work with Dr. Mounia Ziat. (Scholarship DB)

|| ▷ Aalborg University - PhD Stipend in Audio Only VR Game with Personalized 3D Sound for Blind Gamers in Denmark. (Scholarship D B)

✙ Yale University - Research Associate 1. This United States-based role role as part of the Medical School Campus. This research role involves designing immersive applications that combine spatial audio with haptic feedback for screenless headsets. (Scholarships DB)

Notably, Google, Tesla or Ford don’t seem to have any open roles noting ‘haptics,’ which were featured in the previous May edition.

Resources

👻 Phantom vibration or your Apple watch buzzing at you for no reason? - A troubleshooting guide for those odd “phantom” buzzes from devices like your Apple Watch. (9Meters)

🩹 Haptic patch transmits complexity of touch to the skin - A flexible silicone patch developed at Northwestern delivers sensations like pressure and twisting using 19 tiny magnetic actuators. (North Western / Nature)

🩺 Surgical Industry Analysis and Forecast - Market forecast for haptics in surgical applications, looking ahead to 2025-2030. (OpenPR)

⚉ Anatomy of a Click - Cirrus Logic shares some findings on automotive haptics in a post called “Your Senses Deserve More: Safer Driving with High-Definition Haptics.” (Embedded Computing)

🪡 Needle Insertion Force Simulation - A generalized model for simulating haptic feedback during needle insertion in medical training. (PubMed)

🎛️ Colonoscopy Simulation Device - A haptic device using pneumatic control to replicate the feel of abdominal palpation, aiding medical simulations. (QUT ePrints)

🏎️ Haptics in Sim Racing Community Debate - Perspectives from sim racing enthusiasts on the pros and cons of haptic integration. (Z League)

That’s a Wrap!

Winter might seem quiet for haptics, but as always, innovation never really stops.

I hope you enjoyed this edition. If you found it valuable, consider sharing it within your network and gifting a subscription. Have an exciting update that you want to announce to the haptics community? Share anonymously here or with me on LinkedIn or X.

Yours truly,

Ashley Huffman

aka The Queen of Haptics
Co-founder of Haptics Club Podcast
Strategic Partnerships at TITAN Haptics
Follow me on X ChickTech