Haptics, as a technology, has been used in a variety of modern gadgets and hardware. Some of you may have also heard that this technology is available on a device. Do you know what Haptics is, even if you've heard of it? Please see the explanation below if you want to learn more about what Haptics is, how it works, and what functions and examples are available.

What are Haptics and how do they work?

Because it has been widely used in various gadgets and hardware, you may have experienced or tried Haptics technology, but may not recognize that it is Haptics. By definition, Haptics is a technology that can generate or simulate the sensation of touch, force, and movement in a gadget and hardware. Haptics are usually known as features that can generate vibrations on the device. However, Haptics actually does not only produce vibrations, but also movement or motion. In producing various sensations on the device, Haptics work with specific triggers.

When a trigger occurs, Haptics will provide feedback to the user through the device. Feedback can take the form of vibration, touch, force, or movement. Several activities demonstrate the relationship between triggers and feedback in how Haptics works. The user, for example, taps a button on the smartphone keyboard. The smartphone will then vibrate to indicate that the user has touched the button. The trigger and feedback form shown above are both examples of Haptic Feedback. It should be noted that there are several types of Haptics mechanisms.

The types of Haptics are divided based on the shape of the triggers and feedback that can be simulated. For example, besides Haptics Feedback, there is also Tactile Feedback and Force Feedback. Tactile Feedback is a type of Haptics that can simulate the same vibration sensation as Haptics Feedback, but the triggers are different. Tactile feedback can be triggered by electrical impulses, air pressure, and sound waves.

Then, according to Android Authority, Force Feedback is a type of haptics that can automatically generate movement and coercion when the user is using or controlling the device. The steering wheel controller or joystick in the form of a car steering wheel, which is usually used to play car racing games, is one example of this type of haptics application. Users or players who use a steering wheel controller with Force Feedback can feel the sensation of slamming and shaking the steering wheel in a virtual car, just like when driving a real car in the real world.

Haptics functions and examples

Based on the explanation above, the function of Haptics is to improve the user experience in interacting with their gadget or device. The interaction is elicited from the sensations that Haptics can produce in the user's hands. For example, Haptics on cell phones can make users feel the sensation of touching a virtual button as if it were a physical button on a keyboard with vibration and a "click" sound. As mentioned above, Haptics has been used in various gadgets and devices. Some examples of Haptics can be found on several devices as follows:

- Smartphones and tablets

- Various types of gaming controllers

- Wearable devices such as smartwatches

- Virtual reality devices

In addition to the examples above, there are numerous other examples of Haptics on various devices. Haptics technology is now used in many medical devices and vehicle devices.

That's an explanation of Haptics, complete with how it works, functions, and examples; I hope this is helpful.