Haptics

WHAT ARE HAPTICS?

If you’ve owned a smartphone or played video games in the last 10 years, chances are you’ve encountered haptic technology in your digital devices. Haptic feedback refers to any type of technology used to deliver a tactile response while interfacing with a device, machine, or computer. That is, haptics delivers physical sensations typically by producing vibrations that allow an end user to literally feel feedback from their devices — typically in response to a deliberate touch or integrated into a notification.

Haptic technology typically falls into one of three categories: graspable, wearable, and touchable. As mobile device consumers, most of us quickly recognize the touchable (i.e., smartphone screens) and wearable (i.e., smartwatches or fitness trackers) types. For gamers, their hand-held controllers and rumble packs good reference points.

On devices with touchscreens, haptic feedback simulates the feeling of pushing physical buttons. Haptics also enable vibration-based alerts on your smart devices, such as for calls and texts on your smartphone or a reminder from your smartwatch to meet your fitness goals. These haptic “bumps” are usually coordinated with on-screen notifications that are part of an integrated user experience, prompting the user to view the screen for more information or take the next step within an interface. Haptics are also commonly used in combination with audible sounds to create a richer sensory experience within a digital interface.

For example, in modern video games, haptic feedback in controllers often orchestrates seamlessly with in-game sound effects to simulate the sensations of key actions. By helping the player to feel the ground shake in an explosion or experience the turbulence of a car crash, video games deliver a much more immersive and realistic user experience.

ENHANCING PERCEPTION AND INTERFACE EFFECTIVENESS

PUI Audio immediately sprang into action and, after a thorough evaluation of the client’s 3D design files, we suggested a speaker solution that was mechanically optimal and easily mounted into the ventilator’s housing. Using our CAD design capabilities and in-house 3D printers, we built speaker prototypes for their evaluation. Knowing the importance and application for this speaker, we offered our proprietary in-house speaker coating process to make the speaker more robust and resistant to the elements. Upon completion of the speaker design, we then worked with the client to specify lead wire type, and length, as well as select an appropriate connector so the assembly would fit specifically into their case design. An invite to our Dayton, Ohio headquarters facility was accepted, and Engineering and Quality representatives traveled to visit our facility and observe our capabilities. Upon demonstrating our speaker coating process and state-of-the-art testing capabilities, evidencing we ensure the highest quality of sound through the entire frequency spectrum, we solidified a high level of confidence in our ability to deliver the solution they needed. Once in full-scale production, each speaker would be meticulously built to specification, coated for water resistance, then 100% inspected for frequency prior to shipping to the client.

Expanding Into Industrial Markets

Consumer-based use cases for haptics are seemingly endless and increasing every day. Combined with the advent of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the Internet of Things (IOT) technologies — which have implications for both entertainment and real-world utility — the stage is set for even wider adoption of haptics in commercial and industrial segments.

Today, many device manufacturers are making the business case for leveraging this potentially transformative technology to assist humans as they perform essential — even lifesaving — functions. Most notably in recent years, automotive driver-assist features have integrated haptics into steering wheels to send feedback to drivers when they’re drifting out of lanes, following too close, or not gripping the wheel properly. This is just one of many examples in a rapidly expanding and emerging landscape.

Designers and manufacturers of medical devices, industrial human-machine (HMI), and security platforms are integrating haptic feedback to improve the user experience and functionality in mission-critical applications. Let’s look at the growing potential for haptic technologies in these industries.