Haptikos hopes to deliver lifelike VR haptics for less than $1,000
Startup Haptikos presents a haptic hand exoskeleton that it claims is half the cost and twice as accurate as commercial alternatives.
Sunnyvale and Athens-based startup Haptikos came out of stealth mode this week to unveil a prototype hand exoskeleton. The exoskeleton is part of the Haptik OS ecosystem, which consists of integrated hardware and software.
The prototype costs $2,500 per pair, but is also available individually for half the price. By 2026, when the final product is ready to ship, Haptikos is aiming for a final price of less than $1,000 per pair. In combination with the Haptik OS operating system, which can be licensed immediately, the exoskeleton brings the sense of touch to VR and AR applications.
The exoskeleton is designed to provide the sensation of different materials, from smooth surfaces to complex textures. It offers 24 degrees of freedom per hand, sub-millimeter motion accuracy, and 8 hours of continuous usage. With a rise of 12 ms and a fall time of 55 ms, Haptikos is designed to make every touch and interaction feel immediate and natural.
A variety of sensors
Each exoskeleton contains sensors for tracking, haptics, and kinesthetics, the latter of which will be added later this year. These sensors allow Haptikos to track the movement of each wrist. The startup promises natural control over every movement, from finger curvature to complex hand gestures, making digital interactions feel fluid and intuitive.
The Haptik OS operating system is the software foundation and platform that connects developers, designers, and end users to create lifelike, intuitive and immersive experiences. It is available in three licensing models: Freemium with basic developer tools, Basic with SDK for application integration, and Pro with full access to AI-powered tools for automated customization.
Prototypes of the Haptikos exoskeleton are already being used by companies such as Siemens and Leonardo for markets such as medical, defense, and robotics.
We noticed that the Haptikos prototype looks a lot like the Dexmo gloves that MIXED tried five years ago.
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