NEW Hapto VR — Revolutionary Motion Controller, Feel Everything

Hapto, a Singapore-based VR startup, launched its Indiegogo campaign today. A virtual reality controller unlike any other in the world, Hapto provides a realistic haptic effect for its users.

With Hapto users can make any movement in VR: touch, hold, or throw objects, deftly wield weapons, and experience a virtual space as if it were real.

One of the primary benefits of the Hapto controller is that it is very easy to use; the user simply has to put it on and is ready to go.

Hapto is compatible with PCs and Android devices, as well as most popular VR headsets and platforms, including Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, Google Cardboard, HTC Vive, Google Daydream, and Merge VR Goggles.

Hapto will be available for sale at $249 USD, but the discounted early-bird price during the campaign is $149 USD.

“Hapto is meant to open up the VR possibilities we’ve all been dreaming about. It’s the sci-fi world come true. For many years we studied the latest medical research on how the human brain forms tactical feelings. Once we understood the science, we created a system that fully reproduces the impact on the brain when a person interacts with an object. You put Hapto on, start a VR game or app, and experience such a realistic haptic effect that you may even forget you’re in virtual reality.”

– Alexander Khromenkov, CEO and Founder of Hapto.

The first Hapto prototype was developed in 2013 when the project collected 100K in funding on Kickstarter. Since then the company has completely redesigned Hapto to achieve a totally unique and improved controller.

The haptic mechanism that now powers Hapto consists of 20 pushers that are configured and programmed to provide the same haptic effect for the user’s hand as if she was touching an object in the real world.

Hapto also has movement-capturing light circles placed on both sides that catch the user’s every move, an accelerometer or gyroscope for rotation detection and motion detection, and four buttons for basic navigation in any game or app.

“It’s a totally different experience. It’s weird to have that sensation. I mean, I know I am not touching it, but it feels like I am touching it. I really like it. I like the idea of it. I can actually be involved with more than just my eyes; I can touch a thing and move it. That’s pretty cool,”

– Bernard Jacobsen, Hapto Tester

Hapto is perfectly ergonomic, suitable for any hand, and equipped with a comfortable strap, allowing for perfect adjustment. The device is available in three colors (white and orange, black and white, and black and orange), and has a rechargeable battery that lasts for two to three hours of constant gaming.

Hapto is currently compatible with the most popular VR headsets, such as Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Google Cardboard, Google Daydream, and Merge VR Goggles.

Support for PSVR, OSVR, and Hololens will soon be added. To integrate Hapto into games, developers can use Hapto’s SDK.

The Hapto team is thrilled to get its product out to VR users, and invites backers to claim their controllers at the early-bird price of $149 USD, available on Indiegogo starting from May 31st.

FEATURES

• Unique construction, no analogues: Hapto is based on the thoughtfully programmed work of 20 pushers that completely imitate real interaction with real objects. Construction is developed on the basis of the latest medical research about the way our brains actually “understand” what we’re touching. It replicates the same experience.
• Design: Hapto is 100% ergonomic, suitable for hands of all sizes, and comes with a comfy strap that allows you to adjust it perfectly. The movement-catching light circles placed on the two sides catch your every move. Four buttons for pointing, grabbing, reloading, and changing your weapon allow any action available in a game or app.
• Colors: Hapto is available in three colors — white and orange, black and white, and black and orange.
• Long play: The battery works without needing a recharge for two hours.
• Easy to use: Put it on and you’re set. Hapto uses Bluetooth 4.2, which is the fastest and most stable version. No lags, guaranteed!
• Easy to integrate: Full SDK is provided for game and app developers.
• Perfectly compatible: Hapto already works with PC and Android devices, as well as supports Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Google Cardboard, Google Daydream, and Merge VR Goggles. Development to add support for iOS, HTC Vive, PSVR, OSVR, and Hololens is underway.

Check back on this page frequently for updates and additions.

We’ve seen a tremendous amount of disruptive change coming from the Virtual Reality Industry. It is surely certain that this kind of content will accelerate based on trends in the future.

You most likely have some other VR ideas that can change the world! Share them with us on social media!

Originally published at www.vudream.com on June 1, 2017.