Philippe Guillotel, senior director of metavideo group, InterDigital, explains how haptic technology could be the next big thing in watching everything from sport to movies
By Contributor
Published: May 23, 2024
Philippe Guillotel, senior director of metavideo group, InterDigital, explains how haptic technology could be the next big thing in watching everything from sport to movies
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> Philippe Guillotel, senior director of metavideo group, InterDigital, explains how haptic technology could be the next big thing in watching everything from sport to movies
https://www.tvbeurope.com/features/virtual-feelings-how-haptic-technology-is-creating-immersive-environments title=Share via Email class=share-email>
The entertainment industry is abuzz thanks to the launch of next-gen immersive technologies such as the Apple Vision Pro and recently announced Meta Quest Pro 2. Talk is now naturally gravitating towards how extended reality (XR) can be enhanced with the help of haptic technologies that allow us to experience physical stimuli alongside virtual experiences.
Philippe Guillotel, senior director of metavideo group, InterDigital Haptic technologies open new possibilities for realism in virtual and immersive environments and can amplify our connected experiences beyond the current limitations of screens and devices. Greater connectivity and emerging immersive technologies can both support and enhance these experiences, whether it's through in-built haptic feedback within VR headsets and their controllers, or via accompanying devices that allow for new tactile sensations to be felt by the user, complementing their virtual experience.
A new level of immersive entertainment Haptic technology's use within XR is currently primarily centred around vibrotactile feedback. This is predominantly through controllers which vibrate as the user interacts with the virtual environment. Gaming is perhaps the most obvious and well-known application of haptics, from the rumbling vibrations of a controller as your character runs, to cutting-edge bodywear that reacts to virtual stimulation, such as being fired at in first-person shooters. VR was quick to embrace this aspect of haptic hardware to enhance immersion.
Beyond gaming, experiments are underway to determine how haptics can be used to enhance immersion in both live and virtual environments, such as sporting and esports events. The upcoming 2024 Olympics and UEFA 2024 Euro Championships have coincided with a boom in popularity of live sports and esports among streaming audiences worldwide, and the prospect of haptic-enhanced video can add a new depth of sensation that will help audiences feel more connected than ever before.
Major breakthroughs are being made by organisations such as the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), which is creating specialist equipment to enhance the viewing of live sports, from handheld devices that react to an athlete's motions, to chairs that respond to motions such as throws, tackles and physical contact, like the Razer Esther gaming seat cushion and Razer HyperSense headphone.
Limitations and concerns to keep in mind In order to properly ensure that XR experiences are enhanced with the addition of new haptic technologies, it is essential to recognise the importance of the Quality of Personal Experience (QoPE). QoPE must not be determined by the haptic devices themselves but should be enhanced by their addition and adapted to each user. A robust wireless network performance that supports XR experiences is key. Mobile VR environments require high-speed, low-latency communications, and if the internet is to transmit tactile sensations in real time through streamed media, latency cannot exceed one millisecond if the human neurological system is to not dissociate the sensations with visual stimulus. Standards in wireless networking are crucial here - for 5G, 5GSA, 6G and beyond - to ensure the smooth and reliable transmission of sensory data.
The visual constraints of the current generation of haptic hardware also need to be considered. Many devices are currently heavy, bulky or restrict user movement. These sensations detract from the experience haptic tech is trying to achieve, by making it less natural and lifelike - and therefore less immersive - and hinders interoperability between different devices.
Support of codecs and standards is essential Current haptic technology has limited most feedback systems to vibrotactile sensations. However, promising advancements in material science and wearable technologies indicate that responsive haptic devices such as full-body suits and advanced gloves capable of allowing users to experience sensations such as heat and texture are on the horizon.
For these advancements to truly take root within the VR space, adherence to standards and protocols will be integral. Innovations in immersive video codecs and advancements in haptics research are empowering a new dimension of interactive and sensory-enhanced communications, services, and experiences. The MPEG immersive video (MIV) standard allows for the compression of immersive video, in which a real or virtual 3D environment is captured by a number of real or virtual cameras or synthesised. These critical immersive standards enable enhanced interoperability and quality of experience across various devices and different immersive experiences, while achieving sustainable data rates to ensure they can be seamlessly streamed by networks.
MPEG standards such as Scene Description, Visual Volumetric Video-based codecs (V3V) and newer haptics-dedicated codecs enrich immersive experiences with a new and broader depth of tactile sensations. Through the support of these standards, a suite of haptic technologies can theoretically be deployed and supported, allowing u
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
14/04/2026
ToolsOnAir and Omnistream Bring Mobile SRT Contribution into Professional 24/7 P...
14/04/2026
Captures a trio of renowned polysynths
The latest software to join AIR Music Tech's extensive catalogue captures the sound of three sought-after polysyn...
14/04/2026
Free offering includes 10 powerful plug-ins
United Plugins have announced the launch of a new bundle that brings together 10 of their pro-audio plug-ins, an...
14/04/2026
Julian Coryell joins virtual session player line-up
Announced at NAMM 2026, Celemony's Tonalic kits DAW users out with real performances by world-class ...
14/04/2026
X-Rite Pantone Color Academy Grand Opening in Shanghai
On March 27, 2026, X-Rite Pantone, the global authority in color standards and color science, held the...
14/04/2026
14 Apr 2026
VEON and JazzWorld Receive Competition Commission of Pakistan Appro...
14/04/2026
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Nicola Coughlan and Aimee Lou Wood to host next two episo...
14/04/2026
Lead writer and executive producer Jack Lothian joins alongside lead director Je...
14/04/2026
Wuppertal April 14, 2026
Thomas Riedel Acquires Premium Manufacturer ARRIStrategic Alignment With the Riedel Group for Innovation and Growth
Thomas Riedel, f...
14/04/2026
New Service Simplifies Integration of AI Applications with Exceptional Reliabili...
14/04/2026
Luxembourg, April 14, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, today annou...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Composition Builder 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Composition Builder 2026 application for macOS enables TV stations and Live Event broadcast...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:live pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:live pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel Live Production Playout solution for video and static or real-ti...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:play pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:play pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel automated 24/7 Master Control playout solution with SD, HD and U...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr live:cut 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: live:cut is an option to just:in mac pro 2025 and enables multicamera production workflows for up to 16 cam...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite NDI 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite NDI application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specific...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specifically for...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir just:in mac pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:in mac pro is a macOS-based client-server multichannel capture solution to record SDI, HDMI, N...
13/04/2026
Intuitive EQ plug-in gets an upgrade
Following its official launch back in February 2026, Musik Hack's intuitive EQ plug-in has been treated to its firs...
13/04/2026
Flagship soft synth collection expanded
The latest version of UVI's flagship vintage-inspired soft synth collection has just arrived, expanding the suit...
13/04/2026
Free version of innovative string library arrives
Released in October 2025, Lux Orchestral Strings was said to be Sonuscore's most ambitious library to ...
13/04/2026
The Girls' Research Camp is part of the Technology - Future in Bavaria edu...
13/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz transforms submarine communications for real time underwater dom...
13/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz enables Pulsar signal simulation to support next-generation navi...
13/04/2026
Monday 13 April 2026
Global environmental action NGO WRAP brings recycling to l...
13/04/2026
J nger Audio has joined the EBU ADM Implementers Group (ADM-IG) as a founding me...
13/04/2026
FOX Latin America Announces The Launch Of The FOX Channel In Central America And...
13/04/2026
No amps, no safety net The biggest challenge was the music itself. Everything in the film is acoustic and unamplified. The theme itself is kind of hard to expl...
13/04/2026
RT Radio 1 has today launched a significant step in its ongoing strategic evolution. Following the launch of its brand-new schedule late last year, RT Radio 1...
13/04/2026
The Late Late Show Opening Act, the search for Ireland's newest country musi...
13/04/2026
RT has today announced the appointment of Annemarie Britz to the position of Chief Financial Officer, RT following a public competition.
Annemarie Britz is c...
12/04/2026
Headphone system designed for immersive monitoring
With the demand for immersive audio showing no signs of slowing down, lots of companies are turning their...
11/04/2026
Engineer collective welcome Freddy Knop
Infrasonic, an award-winning collective of audio engineers operating out of Nashville and Los Angeles with credits r...
10/04/2026
After launching the Spotify Podcast Awards in Mexico last year, we brought the fan-voted celebration to Paris this week for its first edition in France. Hosted ...
10/04/2026
Powered and unpowered live PA ranges upgraded
Yamaha have just refreshed four of their hugely popular PA speaker ranges, delivering significant improvements...
10/04/2026
Underlying plug-in & VI technology now available to others
UJAM's latest announcement sees the company open up' Gorilla Engine, the development pla...
10/04/2026
Luxembourg, April 10, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, announces that it has entrusted BNP Paribas with the implementation of a liquidity agreemen...
10/04/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
10/04/2026
Five-part Sky Original drama airs nightly on Sky Mix and Sky Atlantic from 20 Ap...
09/04/2026
Staines-upon-Thames, UK, 09, April, 2026 - Yospace, the trusted leader in Dynam...
09/04/2026
just:play pro 2026 and just:live pro 2026 Sneak Preview News for NAB 2026
More Details:At NAB 2026, ToolsOnAir will showcase just:play pro 2026 and just:live p...
09/04/2026
just:in mac pro 2026 - The Next Level of Professional Recording on macOS at NAB ...
09/04/2026
Spotify has always been about putting listeners in the driver's seat. Today, people don't just want more ways to spend their time; they want that time t...
Philippe Guillotel, senior director of metavideo group, InterDigital, explains how haptic technology could be the next big thing in watching everything from sport to movies
