Some people have recently argued that incorporating haptic feedback in electric vehicles would be beneficial. Haptic feedback can provide tactile sensations to drivers, helping them understand various aspects of their vehicle’s performance and status, such as battery charge levels, regenerative braking intensity, or potential safety warnings. This sensory input can enhance the overall driving experience, promote safer driving habits since the driver won’t have to take his eyes off the road. To address this, BMW M’s boss, Frank van Meel, revealed that the company is delving into innovative solutions, including simulated gears, acoustic cues, and vibration feedback, all powered by advanced software.

Incorporating haptic feedback would help drivers get a better feel of the vehicle while driving

In the world of gasoline engines, experienced drivers rely on the sound of the engine, the feel of the gearbox, and the rev indicator to gauge the car’s performance without taking their eyes off the track. However, EVs, which often feature a single gear, lack the tell-tale jolts of traditional transmission. To bridge this gap, BMW M is exploring simulated gears, recreating the sensation of shifting gears without the need for a physical gearbox.

Another automaker making strides in this realm is Hyundai, particularly with their Ioniq 5 N model. This EV utilizes software to enhance its one-speed gearbox, offering N e-shift, which replicates the feeling of an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission through precise control of motor torque output. In tandem, the N Active Sound + system provides auditory cues, allowing drivers to choose from three distinct sound themes, each communicating the car’s actions at any given moment.

While some may argue that piped-in fake exhaust sounds and clutch-operated manual transmissions for EVs may seem unnecessary, they serve a vital purpose: enhancing the driving experience by maintaining a connection between the car and its driver. This connection is paramount for performance vehicles like those in BMW’s M series, ensuring that drivers can fully immerse themselves in the thrill of the track without distractions.

Although the specific details of BMW M’s haptic feedback solution remain shrouded in mystery, Frank van Meel has confirmed that the company’s debut electric model is currently in development. The anticipated reveal is slated for sometime within this decade, promising exciting advancements for EV enthusiasts and high-performance car aficionados alike once this feature becomes public. One thing is for sure, it will definitely grab attention when it first comes out.

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Sony has some splendid plans for making upcoming PlayStation 5 more ‘immersive’ and realistic. A recent patent published at USPTO reveals about the new VR glove which can convey a sense of touch with its sensory systems. The VR gloves with haptic feedback will create another dimension to feel “touch” while playing games. In other words, users can feel the texture of clothes and can feel every object with their hands.

The patent was filed back in September 2016. According to the patent description, the dynamic gloves convey a sense of touch and movement for virtual objects in HMD (Head-Mounted Display) rendered environments. The glove also carries a camera for detecting a location of the glove device in real space and a location of the HMD. There are many other sensory-equipments which will facilitate the sense of feeling in the glove.

Sony has plans to use the haptic device in different clothing worn by a user such as a glove, a hat, footwear, pants or shirt. It can also bring a sense of feeling in the head mounted display device. Sony describes the patent as:

A system and method of using a peripheral device for interfacing with a virtual reality scene generated by a computer for presentation on a head mounted display. The peripheral device includes a haptic device capable of being placed in contact with a user and a haptic feedback controller for processing instructions for outputting a haptic signal to the haptic device. The haptic feedback controller receiving the instructions from the computer so that haptic feedback of the haptic device changes to correspond to a user’s virtual interactions with a virtual object in the virtual reality scene as presented on the head mounted display.

The company has recognized various other uses of the VR glove using different systems like temperature control, compressed gas and liquid control, a motor, etc. The user would be able to feel the texture, shape of a virtual object, the intensity of pressure, movement away and nearing the object.

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The whole new system would work with PSVR to bring in the touch feedback. It is expected to take place in the upcoming products from Sony.

(source | via)

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