Haptic technology allows us to feel the future IG News

The development of haptic technology in various applications is creating more immersive experiences in areas such as gaming, science and prosthetics. Paul Budde reports.

Over the past few months, I have written articles about 5G, 6G (2030) and even 7G (2040). In my research on these articles, I have found much information about the use of haptic technologies. So I started looking into the relationship between haptic technology and new mobile technologies.

Already 5G and even more so, 6G and 7G, offer higher data rates and lower latency than previous generations of wireless technology. This makes them ideal for applications that require real-time communication, such as haptic feedback.

Haptic feedback is the use of touch to create a more immersive experience. It can be used in various applications such as gaming, virtual reality and telepresence. 5G and 6G can deliver the higher data rates and lower latency that are needed for the haptic feedback used in these applications.

There are many different haptic technologies available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Some of the most common haptic technologies include:

• Vibration Motors: These motors vibrate to produce the sensation of touch. They are relatively cheap and easy to use, but they can be limited in terms of the range of sensations they can provide.
• Linear Actuators: These actuators move back and forth to create a sense of force. They are more expensive than vibration motors, but they can provide a wider range of sensations.
• Haptic Gloves: These gloves use a combination of vibration motors and actuators to create a more realistic sense of touch. They are the most expensive type of haptic technology, but they can provide the most immersive experience.

The latest developments in haptic technology are focused on making it more affordable, more immersive and more accurate.

Some of the most promising new developments include:

• Membrane Haptics: This technology uses a thin membrane to create the sensation of touch. It is less expensive than traditional haptic technologies and can be used in a wider range of applications.
• Electrotactile Feedback: This technology uses electrical stimulation to produce the sensation of touch. It is more precise than traditional haptic technologies and can be used to create a wider range of sensations.
• brain-computer interface: This technology allows users to control haptic devices with their mind. It’s still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with haptic technology.

As 5G and 6G continue to develop, they will become more widely used for haptic feedback applications. This will make haptic feedback more accessible and affordable, and it will open up new possibilities for haptic feedback in a variety of industries.

Here are some of the ways haptic technology is being used:

• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): Haptic feedback is being used to create more realistic and immersive VR and AR experiences. For example, haptic feedback can be used to simulate the feeling of walking on different surfaces, driving a car, or flying a plane.
• Telepresence: Haptic feedback is being used to create more realistic and engaging telepresence experiences. For example, haptic feedback can be used to simulate the feeling of shaking hands, hugging someone, or petting a dog.
• Haptic Keyboard: Haptic keyboards use vibration to simulate the feel of typing on a physical keyboard. This can be helpful for people who are using a touchscreen device, as it can make it easier to type accurately and quickly.
• Haptic Feedback for Gaming: Haptic feedback is often used in gaming to provide players with a more immersive experience. For example, a racing game might use haptic feedback to simulate driving over bumps in the road or the feeling of wind blowing through the player’s hair.
• Prosthetics: Haptic technology is being used to develop more realistic and functional prosthetics. For example, some prosthetic hands can now feel the texture of the objects they are touching.

As 5G and 6G continue to develop, haptic technology is likely to be widely used in various other applications. This will make haptic technology more accessible and affordable, and it will open up new possibilities for haptic technology in various industries.

Paul Budd is a freelance Australia columnist and managing director of Paul Budd Consulting, an independent telecommunications research and consulting organisation. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PaulBudde,