Speakers and Transducers - Haptic Devices for Augmentation, Entertainment, and Wellness

Expanding on previous articles about bass shakers and motion platforms, this article from Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific) looks at exciting evolutions in haptic transducers and actuators that are being used in a growing number of applications - all of which depend upon audio sources for input. The ability to interact with the world through vibration and touch is central to all of our lives, and now increasingly so. This article was originally published in audioXpress, February 2022.

Razer, one of the leading gaming hardware companies, announced the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Go Touch VR SAS, also known as Interhaptics, a French startup founded in 2017 and specialized in haptics tools and software. Zehao Li, Technology Analyst for IDTechEx says that with the acquisition of Interhaptics, Razer will be looking to expand its HyperSense solution across more products to build out a full ecosystem of peripherals with haptic features.

The February 2022 edition of audioXpress is now available and features our annual Market Update on Microphone technology. Vikrant Singh Tomar discusses TinyML and Voice Recognition Technology On the Edge, Richard Honeycutt writes about Quantification of Speech Intelligibility, and Mike Klasco expands on audio applications for Haptic Devices. George Ntanavaras builds a phono and line/headphone amplifier project, Brian Bylenok proposes a refined Current Feedback Headphone Amplifier, and Richard Honeycutt reminds us that Tube Power Amps also have Classes. Now available in print and online.

Cambridge Mechatronics, a leading British company and developer of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators has developed a new ultra-slim, high precision rotary actuator product. The actuator characteristics include lightweight design, two thousand step positions per revolution and it is completely non-magnetic so it can operate in areas of high magnetic flux that might otherwise exclude conventional motor technologies. With a low profile of around 1mm, it can be used in the most space-constrained applications.

Flexound Augmented Audio, the innovative haptics audio company from Finland, appointed Isak Olevic as the new CEO. Olevic, an experienced automotive and audio business executive, comes from Sweden and has a vast executive experience at Volvo, Harman International, and Ericsson. He will assume responsibilities for Flexound on January 1, 2022, succeeding Flexound co-founder Mervi Heinaro, who was recently appointed as the Deputy Mayor of the City of Espoo, Finland. Mervi remains a partner in the company as well as a member of the Advisory Board.

Flexound Augmented Audio, the company from Finland that is exploring the full combined potential of haptics and wireless audio in consumer products, is also developing multisensory solutions for cinema, gaming and therapy. After exploring the technology in commercial movie theaters, Flexound now introduced the Pulse seat that offers an affordable and captivating home cinema experience, scaling easily to large multi-seat rooms.

IDTechEx Research just announced its latest report "Haptics 2021-2031: Technologies, Market & Players" discussing the general trends in the haptics industry and the provision of haptic feedback within products today. According to the report, the industry segment will be worth nearly $5bn in 2025. The report covers each major type of haptic technology, from electromagnetic actuators to gaming, wearables, consumer electronics, and automotive haptics.