HaptX Launches Smaller and Better Haptic Gloves Costing from $4,500
Haptics manufacturer HaptX has unveiled its new model of haptic gloves, the HaptX Gloves G1, which are smaller, cheaper, and better. The new haptic gloves are also more comfortable, support mobile uses, and deliver more realistic haptics.
Known as HaptX Gloves G1, the new and improved model will replace the previous generation HaptX Gloves DK2 that was launched in early 2021.
The HaptX Gloves G1 is quite different from the haptic company’s first DK2 gloves which were more expensive and had a bulkier form factor and mainly targeted industrial use cases. The HaptX Gloves G1 are interfaced with a lightweight backpack known as the “Airpack”. The Airpack utilizes microfluidics that channel air into the gloves. The new gloves also look and fit into your hands like normal gloves.
HaptX has been developing these particularly complex haptic gloves for the past 10 years. They target enterprise use cases. Each of the gloves features 135 microchambers that are embedded inside them where the fluid is injected at a very high velocity which simulates the sense of touch with a physical object. The “haptic pixels” in the haptic gloves will press inward against the skin by as much as half an inch.
The gloves contain hundreds of microfluidic actuators. These physically displace the skin to create the sensation of touch in virtual objects. The Airpack is wireless and regulates the flow of compressed air into the haptic gloves. The haptic gloves give you up to three hours of battery power and are available in four sizes.
The company says that its smaller and cheaper HaptX Gloves G1 now allows all organizations to leverage its “lifelike” haptics technology. Company founder and CEO Jake Rubin describes haptics as the “cornerstone of the next generation of human-machine interface” tech and that the technology provides “endless” opportunities.
The new HaptX gloves also feature artificial tendons that deliver as much as eight pounds of resistance for every finger and simulate the size and shape of the virtual objects. The vibrotactile feedback in the gloves enables wearers to also feel the different surface textures of virtual objects. The gloves can be used to simulate haptic effects in both virtual reality and augmented reality applications. Intended use cases include in 3D design, training applications as well as in the remote control of robots.
The HaptX Gloves G1 now provides a number of improvements to users. These include the following: –
- Better ergonomics: The new HaptX Gloves G1 leverage advances n material science as well as new manufacturing techniques that enable them to fit like conventional gloves. The areas around the palm, wrist, and finger are soft and flexible to deliver good dexterity and comfort. The gloves are also available in four sizes. One glove weighs roughly a pound.
- Mobile use: HaptX’s new gloves come with a backpack known as “Airpack” for mobile applications such as in room-filling virtual reality. The backpack can also be placed on a table and used in a seated or standing position. The Airpack will generate compressed air and also regulates the flow of air for the varied haptic sensations. The haptic gloves last up to 3 hours on a single charge without needing external air or a power source.
The gloves also feature new haptic features along with support for virtual collaboration applications. The HaptX SDK has been optimized for both industrial and enterprise applications. It also includes plugins for Unity and Unreal along with a C++ interface.
Another new feature in the glove is vibrotactile feedback that simulates the sensation of surfaces. The gloves also provide ROS node support that enables them to be connected to remotely controlled reports. They offer multi-user support enabling multiple users to work together in the same virtual environment and feel the same objects, no matter where their location.
HaptX Gloves G1 to Ship in 2023
The gloves can be pre-ordered on the company’s official website by enterprise customers looking to get their hands on the new haptic device. An individual pair of the new haptic gloves will go for $5,495 while a bundle consisting of all four sizes of the glove goes for $4,500 per pair.
Apart from the haptic hardware itself, there is also a mandatory service subscription for $495 per month. The subscription comes with turnkey product deployment as well as a service for enterprise customers. HaptX is recommending that interested companies make a down payment so as to secure discounted pre-order pricing and shipping priority.
The delivery of the haptic gloves has been slated for the third quarter of 2023.
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