Exploring the Immersive Potential of HaptX Gloves G1 in XR Experiences
Could the HaptX Gloves (G1) be the ultimate way to boost immersion in XR?
Even as extended reality devices become more advanced, with enhanced visuals, performance capabilities, and spatial computing aspects, unlocking true immersion is difficult. The trouble is most virtual reality solutions only interact with some of our senses.
You can see ultra-realistic environments with high-fidelity screens offered by solutions like the Apple Vision Pro, and even hear sound positioned around you with spatial audio. However, touching and interacting with objects is still a somewhat clunky experience.
Even if you don’t have to rely on controllers and can use your hands to swipe through apps and “grip” digital objects, you can’t feel what you’re interacting with. That’s where the HaptX gloves come in. They simulate detailed, tactile feedback to revolutionize immersive experiences.
We put a pair of these gloves to the test, to determine just how valuable high-level VR gloves really are for enterprise XR enthusiasts.
HaptX Gloves G1: Overview and Specs
The HaptX Gloves G1 are a set of haptic feedback gloves, specifically designed for enterprise use cases by a leader in the robotics industry: HaptX. HaptX has been experimenting with XR tools and accessories for a while now, going beyond the basic haptic experiences offered by predecessors.
The HaptX Gloves G1 don’t just vibrate or pulse to replicate “touch.” They’re powered by state-of-the-art microfluidic smart textiles and hundreds of actuators that push back against your skin, creating ultra-realistic sensations. The gloves can even replicate the feeling of interacting with power tools and specific pieces of machinery.
Through intelligent force feedback, these gloves allow users to feel the actual heft and physical performance of objects in virtual reality. You even get up to 40lb of resistive force per hand, so it actually feels like you’re picking up a drill or swinging a hammer.
Plus, each pair of HaptX gloves comes with access to the HaptX SDK toolkit. This basically gives you a suite of familiar tools, templates, aps, and haptic effects teams can use to build training applications for any use case or scenario.
The Technical Specifications
– 135 microfluid actuators across the fingers and palms
– Airpack for mobile use
– 36 tracked degrees of freedom per glove
– Up to 40 pounds of resistive force feedback across all five fingers
– Multi-user support
– Included SDK with plugins for Unity and Unreal Engine
– 5 lbs weight
– ROS node connectivity
HaptX Gloves G1 Review: Design and Comfort
Probably unsurprisingly, the HaptX gloves G1 don’t really look or feel like a pair of standard gloves. They’re a lot heavier than traditional gloves, for a start, thanks to all of the built-in technology used to replicate accurate sensations in VR. Because of this, actually using these gloves takes a little getting used to. Still, the good news is they are available in different sizes, so you can ensure you’re getting the ideal “fit” for your specific needs.
Wearing a pair of these gloves feels like putting an extra “exoskeleton” over your hands – which is definitely odd. Plus, it’s worth noting that the gloves do need to be connected to an “Airpack” at all times. This powers a steady flow of compressed air that moves through the fingers and palms of your gloves to enable real-time feedback.
You can use the gloves sitting down and simply place the Airpack beside you while working. However, if you’re going to be moving around in VR, you’ll need to use the backpack attachment. Notably, even with the “ergonomic” design, the backpack is pretty heavy, so you might feel a little weighed down after a while.
On the plus side, the gloves and the Airpack are designed to be completely “wireless,” so you can connect to your Wi-Fi and apps without worrying about extra cables. You even get two swappable batteries so you’re less likely to run out of power mid-session.
The Haptic Experience
HaptX is just one of many companies experimenting with haptic accessories designed to improve immersion in virtual reality. However, the gloves created by this company are definitely some of the most advanced and impressive we’ve seen so far.
HaptX spent over a decade developing the advanced “microfluidic” technology that powers the gloves. The experience all starts with the use of compressed air. A built-in controller sends air to specific points within the gloves whenever a user interacts with a virtual space. This air moves actuators in the glove that press into your fingertips and palms, creating a realistic sense of touch.
There’s even a built-in tendon system to generate resistive force that simulates the virtual object’s shape and size. The overall haptic experience is incredible. You can flick switches, open drawers, lift and use power tools, and everything feels incredibly realistic.
The gloves are also extremely good at creating versatile touch experiences. For instance, you can pet a cat with one hand and touch a table with the other, and the experience is different for both hands. Plus, with the included SDK solution, you’ll be able to design your own haptic experiences, fine-tuning how different objects feel within unique applications.
The more skilled your team is with Unity and Unreal Engine, as well as C++, the more versatile the experiences you create will be.
Who are the HaptX Gloves G1 For?
It’s worth noting that HaptX didn’t design its G1 gloves for just anyone. We’re unlikely to see consumers purchasing these accessories to use in VR games any time soon. HaptX built these gloves specifically for enterprise use cases.
Although haptic technology has a wide range of applications, the G1 gloves are mainly intended for training in the manufacturing, government, and industrial sectors. In fact, HaptX’s website highlights the gloves’ benefits for building muscle memory.
According to the company, while the training experiences offered by VR and extended reality solutions are already incredible, it’s difficult to create a fully immersive educational experience with apps and headsets alone. People need to be able to interact with objects and touch items to build muscle memories that will make them more effective in their roles.
Already, HaptX has begun working with various institutions and organizations to introduce them to the benefits of haptic feedback for training purposes. For instance, the company has collaborated with the US Army to design applications for its gloves that will enable training for future medics.
Beyond that, companies using the HaptX gloves G1 with the included SDK will be able to build comprehensive training experiences to various scenarios. These gloves could help teach pilots how to safely fly planes or transform the way surgeons learn how to perform procedures.
Paired with world-leading XR headsets and applications leveraging artificial intelligence, these gloves could revolutionize how people learn in virtual reality. They could eliminate a variety of costs, risks, and restrictions from current training techniques, unlocking a host of advantages for future businesses.
Looking Ahead with the HaptX Gloves
Going forward, HaptX plans to enhance its already impressive gloves and SDK solution even further. The company will fine-tune its current developer kit to make it more effective and intuitive. Plus, the team plans to experiment with other haptic accessories and technologies for deeper full-body immersion in the years ahead.
For instance, we could soon see solutions created by HaptX that extend the feedback you feel when you’re lifting an object in VR to cover your arms, back, and upper body. Obviously, it will take significant time and research to create a full-body experience that isn’t restrictive.
However, if the incredible experience offered by the HaptX G1 gloves is anything to go by, the company definitely has the potential to truly revolutionize our sense of immersion in VR.
