1950s

Argonne National Lab developed a master-slave telemanipulation system in which actuators, receiving feedback signals from slave sensors, applied forces to a master arm controlled by the user.

1960s

Haptic technology was used in the 1960s for applications such as military flight simulators, on which combat pilots honed their skills. Motors and actuators pushed, pulled, and shook the flight yoke, throttle, rudder pedals, and cockpit shell, reproducing many of the tactile and kinesthetic cues of real flight. Though advanced for their time, these programmable haptic systems were limited by the then available technology and were therefore relatively crude and low fidelity by today’s standards. They also cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, and therefore were not within the grasp of consumers or even most businesses.

1970s through early 1990s

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, computing power reached the point where rich color graphics and high-quality audio were possible. This multimedia revolution spawned entirely new businesses in the late 1980s and early 1990s and opened new possibilities for the consumer. Flight simulation moved from a professional pilot-only activity to a PC-based hobby, with graphics and sound far superior to what the combat pilots in the 1960s had.

The multimedia revolution also gave rise to the medical simulation industry. By the 1990s, high-end workstations displayed highly realistic renderings of human anatomy.

Mid 1990s

By the mid 1990s, shortcoming in simulation products were identified. Even though graphics and animations looked incredibly realistic, they could not possibly convey what it actually feels like to break through a venal wall with a needle or fight the flight yoke out of a steep dive. New industrial and consumer products were in need of enhanced programmable haptic technology that could provide sensations similar to an actual hands-on experience.

Immersion was founded in 1993 to restore the critical sense of touch in the user experience. By combining 1) the basic concepts used in the military flight simulators of the 1960s, 2) state-of-the-art robotic controls, 3) an understanding of the human sense of touch, and 4) advancements in computing power, Immersion was able to significantly reduce the cost and size of programmable haptic technologies while increasing the quality of the simulated forces.

Immersion’s early haptic technology was used in the world’s first consumer force feedback peripherals for computer video games, such as flight sticks and steering wheels. These products not only looked and sounded more realistic, they allowed users to feel haptic effects that simulated, for example, textures, bouncing and hitting a ball, and vibrations from gun fire. With Immersion haptic technology, sophisticated medical simulators could offer clinicians the ability to practice and perfect their skills with tactile realism not possible before.

2000s

Further advancements in size, power, and cost reductions have pushed the adoption of haptics technology even further. Today, Immersion TouchSense® technology is incorporated into gaming systems and peripherals for Sony and Microsoft systems and PC and Apple Macintosh computers. More than 1,500 Immersion Medical simulators have been deployed at hospitals and medical schools throughout the United States and abroad. Over the past few years, haptic technology has been deployed as VibeTonz® software products for mobile phone handsets, including for providing tactile confirmation to touchscreen presses. Immersion has an agreement with 3M Touch Systems to provide TouchSense-enabled touchscreens that provide unmistakable confirmation to touchscreen presses for the casino gaming and bar-top amusement markets. Immersion haptic technologies are also being used by industrial designers and by researchers from major universities. And automotive companies are using programmable haptic technology in controls powered by Immersion.

As computing power increases, multimedia capabilities advance, and product designers become familiar with the advantages of engaging the sense of touch, even more opportunities will be created for programmable haptic technologies.