- Sony has published a new patent for a glove-type device that can be worn on the hand regardless of size.
- This device can simulate haptic feedback, pressure, and temperatures to let gamers experience in-game sensations in real life.
- These gloves can be worn to make games feel more immersive, helping users simulate touching and holding in-game objects.
We have discovered a new Sony patent that discusses wearable glove-like devices that come with universal-size straps. These can simulate in-game sensations, including haptic vibrations, pressure, feelings of touch and grasping, and even temperatures in real life.
These gloves can increase the immersion by letting users feel what they experience in games in real time. Additionally, Sony has proposed designs that allow gamers to use controllers during gameplay without restrictions.
[The shape of glove-type devices] changes as they are heated. By changing the shape […] pressure is applied to the user’s knuckles and palm. Thereby, the haptic device imparts tactile information to the user, such as touching or grasping an object.
Why it matters: The new Sony patent on innovative wearable gloves that emulate in-game haptic and temperature sensations in real life could be the next big leap for gaming.
The patent, ‘WEARABLE TOOL AND PRESSURE SENSATION PRESENTATION DEVICE,’ explains that the sensations produced by these gloves can increase realism during gaming. For example, a user holding a snowball in a game could feel cold sensations in real life.
Sony argues in the patent that current similar technologies are more of a novelty—such as VR gloves or vests that let you feel sensations to some extent. Using them restricts users, and their dimensions also need to be adjusted to their size.
The temperature control device imparts at least one of a warm sensation and a cold sensation to the left hand which is a mounting target site [… Using] a nichrome wire or a Peltier element.
However, Sony wants to bring this tech in the form of universal-size gloves that fit everyone and can be used alongside controllers in traditional gaming. So, if the patent is ever realized, we might find these gloves will soon become a part of everyday gaming.
Sony has also secured many other wild patent ideas over the years, like a durable controller designed for longer lifespans with magnetic buttons and another about a next-gen lip sync system to match different translations with NPC mouth movements.
Do you think Sony will bring these gloves to let you feel in-game sensations in real life, or will this idea be lost in patents forever? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.