Haptic technology

Haptic is the science that is responsible for the study of the sense of touch, so the haptic devices are responsible for simulating tactile responses, that is, by using these devices, the presence of three-dimensional objects can be perceived in a virtual environment.

It is also known as 3D touch or kinesthetic communication, and seeks to create experiences using vibrations, movements and other forces. Since touch is the most fundamental method of interaction, harnessing the sensations in your products is quickly becoming the newest approach to creating memorable brand experiences.  

The main purpose of the haptic is to act as a form of tactile communication between an inanimate object and a human being, allowing inanimate objects to recreate the sensation of using real objects and, in turn, these inanimate objects to restore touch.

What are its main uses?

The haptic has gradually expanded, reaching new uses. Currently we can find four: vibration, button stimulation, thermal and kinesthetic.

On the one hand, we have vibration, which is what most haptic devices are focused on. Technologies such as resonant linear actuators (LRA) and eccentric rotating mass (ERM) create much of the haptic experiences found on mobile and portable devices.

These are based on an internal component responsible for producing the movements, although the LRA have gained more fame since the sound they generate is almost greater than the sensation of vibration.

Smart displays do not naturally offer a tactical response as simple as a mechanical button. And is that, these can get to use haptic and sound feedback to mimic the feeling of a mechanical pressure pad under the finger.

On the other hand, we have thermoelectric effects, which can create haptic experiences based on temperature. By manipulating the flow of electrical current between the alternating conductors of a device (one hot and one cold), users can experience different temperatures.