Virtual reality might look more real than ever before, but can haptic gloves make it feel real too?
Haptic gloves have been around for years, allowing you to ‘feel’ objects in virtual reality. But most of these haptic accessories are difficult to set up, need to be wired to your VR system, require additional tech and are eye-wateringly expensive. We recently tested the SenseGlove Nova, a pair of haptic gloves which are different in that they work with standalone headsets (like the Oculus Quest 2), don’t require a lengthy set-up process and don’t need wires either. Sold as part of a development package for cutting edge VR brands that starts at €3,999, these gloves are still expensive and (sorry) not made for at-home use, at least not yet. But they could represent a step forward in making VR not only look real but feel real, delivering a more immersive experience. This step could significantly impact the VR future that many major tech companies are betting big on over the next decade. Haptic tech, which simulates the sensation of touch, is already built-in to our phones, games controllers and even some gaming headsets – that’s where the vibrations come from. But haptic gloves that look straight out of science-fiction movies (think mid-90s Keanu in Johnny Mnemonic) are what we need to ‘feel’ objects and environments in VR. Consider how you feel the world around you. Essentially, the gloves use actuators and motors to attempt to replicate the resistance you feel when gripping an object. When you go to pick up a tennis ball, for instance, between your thumb and forefinger, the tips of those fingers won’t meet – the physical space between them is filled by the ball, and you have to exert some force to maintain your grip on the sphere.
