Meta Haptic Suit

April 19, 2024

The TactSuit X40 and TactSuit X16 from bHaptics are VR haptic suits that are made for use with Meta VR platform. The X16 Tactsuit has sixteen haptic points and the X40 has forty haptic points. The more haptic points, the more precise and realistic the virtual reality feedback is.

The TactSuit X40 vest is equipped with 40 vibration points that are strategically placed across the chest, back, and shoulders. These points can activate independently, allowing users to feel precise and localized feedback that corresponds to their virtual environments. For gamers, this means enhanced realism in combat and adventure games. For educators and trainers, it enhances the impact of simulated scenarios, making them more engaging and memorable.

The haptic points of the TactSuit X40 are Eccentric Rotating Mass (ERM) vibration motors. These motors are fundamentally simple yet brilliantly effective in creating sensory feedback. An ERM motor consists of an unbalanced weight attached to a motor shaft. As the motor spins, this unbalanced weight rotates, causing the haptic point to vibrate.

This vibration mechanism can replicate a variety of tactile sensations in a VR environment. The frequency and amplitude of the vibrations, and their individual timing, can be adjusted to simulate different textures and impacts. For example, a low-frequency, high-amplitude vibration might simulate a slow heartbeat, while a high-frequency, low-amplitude vibration could mimic the sensation of raindrops hitting your skin. This capability allows users not only to see and hear their environment but to feel it, adding a profound layer of immersion to VR.

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