haptics

Haptics is the science and technology of the sense of touch. It encompasses tactile feedback, which stimulates the skin with vibrations or texture, and kinesthetic feedback, which applies forces to muscles and joints to convey resistance and motion. Haptic systems translate digital information into perceivable touch sensations through actuators, sensors, and control software.

Common actuators include vibration motors (eccentric rotating mass and linear resonant actuators), piezoelectric devices, and voice coil actuators. Haptic rendering algorithms convert user input into timely, perceivable cues while managing latency, resolution, and safety. The field spans consumer electronics, virtual and augmented reality, robotics and teleoperation, medical devices, and automotive interfaces.

Applications include smartphones and game controllers that use vibration to communicate alerts or feedback; VR and AR devices that provide tactile immersion; robotic teleoperation and surgical robotics that supply force feedback to operators; and automotive controls that use haptics to convey information without visual load.

History and scope: Modern haptics emerged with advances in actuators, sensors, and real-time control in the late 20th century, building on earlier studies of touch and ergonomics.

Challenges and trends: Key issues include cost, power consumption, perceptual limits of touch, latency, and user comfort. Research directions include soft actuators, multi-point or distributed feedback, texture rendering, and integrated tactile sensing for more realistic touch experiences.