Apple AR and VR might use haptic socks
Find your feet
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Forget haptic controllers in your hands —Applewants to make haptic socks for itsApple ARandVRdevices. According to a recently filed patent, the tech giant wants to make its augmented and virtual reality experiences as immersive as possible, with tech from your head to your toes.
The newpatentdiscusses “haptic output devices” — which would provide feedback based on what is happening digitally, like thePS5DualSense controllersdo — with the peripherals being shaped like “socks and shoes with cavities configured to receive the feet of users.” That’s technical-speak for ‘places to put your feet inside’, like a sock.
Apple explains that feedback from its sock-like devices could give users the experience of walking on different kinds of surfaces, or make them feel like they are moving while staying in place. This sounds like a recipe for motion sickness, but matches up with more traditional examples of haptic feedback in controllers — like triggers having different resistances to mimic different weapons.
Take a walk on the weird side
While it’s possible this patent will amount to nothing — not every patented idea makes it to a final device — its filing at least suggests Apple is thinking about the future and capabilities of its AR devices.
For one, haptic footwear could be beloved by fitness buffs. These kinds of devices could give Apple the opportunity to create virtual experiences while you run, spicing up your usual jog through the park or on the treadmill, by transporting you to different terrains.
When it comes to gaming, not only would your surroundings look real, but they could feel more real too. These socks may also give people with smaller rooms the chance to explore larger spaces in VR or AR — as you’d no longer need to actually move around in real-life.
With Apple’s VR headset expected to launch in 2022, and AR Apple Glasses expected for 2023 and beyond, we’ll likely have a while to wait to see how these socks turn out. That is, if we even see them at all.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
ViaAppleInsider
Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.
Batman: Arkham Shadow review: an almost flawless VR experience
Batman: Arkham Shadow is the Meta Quest 3 game you’ve been waiting for
Arcane season 2 finally gave us the huge Caitlyn and Vi moment we’ve been waiting for – and its creators say ‘we couldn’t have done it in season one’
