HaptX Gloves G1
| HaptX Gloves G1 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Haptic Gloves |
| Subtype | Force Feedback Gloves, Enterprise VR |
| Platform | Windows, SteamVR, Unity, Unreal Engine |
| Creator | HaptX |
| Developer | HaptX |
| Manufacturer | HaptX |
| Announcement Date | October 2022 |
| Release Date | 2024 (North America shipping) |
| Price | $5,495 per pair ($4,500/pair in 4-size bundle) + ~$500/month subscription |
| Website | https://haptx.com/ |
| Versions | HaptX Gloves G1 (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large) |
| Requires | Compatible VR headset, Airpack pneumatic unit, Windows PC |
| Predecessor | HaptX Gloves DK2 |
| Successor | None announced |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows 10/11 |
| Chipset | N/A (external processing) |
| CPU | N/A |
| GPU | N/A |
| Storage | |
| Storage | N/A |
| Memory | N/A |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | N/A (input device) |
| Subpixel Layout | N/A |
| Peak Brightness | N/A |
| Resolution | N/A |
| Pixel Density | N/A |
| Refresh Rate | N/A |
| Persistence | N/A |
| Image | |
| Field of View | N/A |
| Horizontal FoV | N/A |
| Vertical FoV | N/A |
| Average Pixel Density | N/A |
| Peak Pixel Density | N/A |
| Foveated Rendering | N/A |
| Optics | |
| Optics | N/A |
| Ocularity | N/A |
| IPD Range | N/A |
| Adjustable Diopter | N/A |
| Passthrough | N/A |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | Submillimeter motion tracking |
| Tracking Frequency | High-speed |
| Base Stations | VR headset-dependent |
| Eye Tracking | N/A |
| Face Tracking | N/A |
| Hand Tracking | Yes (primary function) |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Finger/hand orientation |
| Positional Tracking | Finger/hand position |
| Update Rate | High-frequency |
| Tracking Volume | VR play space |
| Play Space | Room-scale or seated |
| Latency | Low latency haptics |
| Audio | |
| Audio | N/A |
| Microphone | N/A |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | N/A |
| Camera | N/A |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Tethered to Airpack |
| Ports | Pneumatic connection, data cable |
| Wired Video | N/A |
| Wireless Video | N/A |
| WiFi | No (Airpack-tethered) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | Airpack battery (up to 3 hours) |
| Battery Capacity | Airpack battery |
| Battery Life | Up to 3 hours |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Glove form factor (4 sizes) |
| Weight | Gloves light, Airpack ~17 lbs |
| Material | Textile glove with embedded actuators |
| Headstrap | N/A |
| Haptics | Yes (microfluidic tactile + force feedback) |
| Color | Black/Grey |
| Sensors | Finger tracking sensors |
| Input | Hand/finger position, force feedback, tactile feedback |
| Compliance | Enterprise certified |
The HaptX Gloves G1 are professional-grade haptic virtual reality gloves developed by HaptX, announced in October 2022 and shipping to North American customers in 2024. Representing the most advanced commercially available haptic gloves, the G1 features 135 microfluidic tactile actuators per glove that physically displace the user's skin to create realistic touch sensations, combined with force feedback exoskeletons that apply up to 40 pounds of resistive force per hand—enabling users to feel the size, shape, weight, and texture of virtual objects. The gloves deliver submillimeter precision motion tracking and work with the included Airpack portable pneumatic system, a ~17-pound backpack or tabletop unit that powers the microfluidic actuators for up to 3 hours on a single charge without external air or power connections. Available in four sizes (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large), the G1 gloves are priced at $5,495 per pair with an additional ~$500/month subscription for service and maintenance, or $4,500 per pair when purchasing the complete 4-size bundle. The HaptX SDK provides integration with Unity, Unreal Engine, and a C++ API, with additional ROS support for telerobotics applications. Designed for enterprise training simulations, design validation, telerobotics, and industrial applications, the HaptX Gloves G1 target manufacturing, government, defense, and automotive industries requiring high-fidelity virtual touch feedback.
History and Development
HaptX Origins
Company background:
- Founded 2012 as AxonVR
- Renamed to HaptX 2017
- Haptic technology pioneer
- Enterprise VR focus
Development Kit Generations
Product evolution:
- HaptX Gloves DK1 (2018)
- HaptX Gloves DK2 (2019)
- Enterprise pilot programs
- Technology refinement
October 2022 Announcement
G1 introduction:
- Commercial product reveal
- Production-ready design
- Enterprise pricing
- Pre-order opening
2024 Shipping
Commercial availability:
- North American shipments begin
- Enterprise deployment
- Customer installations
- Full production
Design Philosophy
True Touch Sensation
Haptic priority:
- Skin displacement technology
- Real tactile feeling
- Beyond vibration haptics
- Physical touch simulation
Force Feedback
Resistance simulation:
- Object solidity sensation
- Weight perception
- Size/shape feeling
- Physical boundaries
Enterprise Focus
Target market:
- Professional training
- Design validation
- Industrial simulation
- Government/defense
Scalable Deployment
Business model:
- Production-ready design
- Multiple size availability
- Service subscription
- Enterprise support
Haptic Technology
Microfluidic Tactile Feedback
Touch sensation system:
- Actuators: 135 per glove
- Pneumatic microfluidic
- Skin displacement
- Individual finger coverage
How It Works
Tactile mechanism:
- Air-powered actuators
- Small bladders inflate
- Push against fingertips/palm
- Creates touch sensation
Texture Simulation
Surface feeling:
- Vibrotactile feedback
- Microscale texture
- Surface roughness
- Material properties
Touch Precision
Sensation quality:
- Individual actuator control
- Spatial resolution
- Pressure variation
- Realistic sensation
Force Feedback
Exoskeleton Design
Resistance system:
- Integrated exoskeleton
- Finger resistance mechanism
- Natural stopping
- Boundary simulation
Force Specifications
Resistance capability:
- Maximum force: 40 lbs per hand
- Physical stopping
- Object boundary
- Weight simulation
How It Works
Force mechanism:
- Finger movement restriction
- Virtual object boundary
- Grasp resistance
- Solid object feeling
Motion Tracking
Submillimeter Precision
Tracking accuracy:
- Precision: Submillimeter
- Fine finger tracking
- Subtle gesture capture
- Precise positioning
Per-Finger Tracking
Hand model:
- Individual finger tracking
- Full hand articulation
- Natural movement capture
- Real-time update
Airpack System
Portable Pneumatic Unit
Power system:
- Weight: ~17 lbs (7.7 kg)
- Air compressor integrated
- Battery powered
- Self-contained
Operating Modes
Usage configurations:
- Backpack mode (room-scale)
- Tabletop mode (seated/standing)
- No external air needed
- No external power needed
Battery Life
Power duration:
- Runtime: Up to 3 hours
- Single charge operation
- Continuous use
- Enterprise shift compatible
Sizing
Four Sizes
Fit options:
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Extra Large
- Adult hand coverage
Bundle Option
Multiple sizes:
- 4-size bundle available
- Multi-user sharing
- Training center use
- Cost efficiency
Software Platform
HaptX SDK
Development kit:
- Free for customers
- No licensing fees
- Integration tools
- Documentation
Engine Support
Development platforms:
- Unity: Plugin available
- Unreal Engine: Plugin available
- C++ API: Direct access
- Cross-engine support
ROS Integration
Telerobotics:
- ROS node available
- Robot control
- Remote operation
- Haptic feedback loop
Vibrotactile Features
Advanced feedback:
- Microscale texture simulation
- Surface properties
- Material feeling
- Enhanced realism
Platform Compatibility
Operating Systems
Supported platforms:
- Windows: 10, 11
- Desktop-based
- Enterprise IT compatible
- Workstation use
VR Headsets
Compatible systems:
- SteamVR headsets
- Enterprise VR systems
- Multiple headset support
- Flexible integration
Enterprise Applications
Training Simulations
Skill development:
- Hands-on virtual training
- Procedure practice
- Risk-free learning
- Realistic interaction
Design Validation
Product development:
- Virtual prototyping
- Ergonomic evaluation
- Design review
- Tactile assessment
Manufacturing
Industrial use:
- Assembly training
- Process simulation
- Worker preparation
- Error reduction
Government/Defense
Military applications:
- Vehicle operation training
- Equipment familiarization
- Scenario simulation
- Skill transfer
Telerobotics
Remote operation:
- Robot control
- Haptic feedback
- Remote manipulation
- Dangerous environment work
Pricing
Individual Pair
Single purchase:
- Price: $5,495 per pair
- Single size
- Enterprise customer
- Professional use
4-Size Bundle
Multi-size option:
- Price: $4,500 per pair
- All 4 sizes included
- Multi-user deployment
- Training center ideal
Subscription
Ongoing service:
- Cost: ~$500/month
- Service and maintenance
- Software updates
- Technical support
Comparison with Haptic Gloves
| Feature | HaptX G1 | Manus Prime 3 Haptic | SenseGlove DK1 | Teslasuit Glove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Microfluidic + Force FB | Vibrotactile | Force FB exoskeleton | Electrotactile + Force FB |
| Actuators | 135/glove | Per-finger vibration | 5 force FB | Electrotactile array |
| Force Feedback | 40 lbs/hand | No | Yes | Yes |
| Power System | Airpack (17 lbs) | Battery | Tethered | Battery |
| Tracking | Submillimeter | 25 DOF | Finger tracking | Finger tracking |
| Battery Life | 3 hours | 12 hours | N/A | 6 hours |
| Price | $5,495 + sub | ~$5,000 | ~$5,000 | ~$5,000 |
| Target | Enterprise training | Mocap + VR | Enterprise | Training + research |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- 135 microfluidic tactile actuators per glove
- 40 lbs force feedback per hand
- Submillimeter motion tracking precision
- True skin displacement touch sensation
- Portable Airpack (no external air/power)
- 3-hour battery life
- 4 size options for diverse users
- Unity/Unreal/C++ SDK (free)
- ROS telerobotics support
- Vibrotactile texture simulation
Limitations
- $5,495 per pair + ~$500/month subscription
- ~17 lb Airpack weight (backpack/tabletop)
- Tethered operation (gloves to Airpack)
- Enterprise-only pricing
- Complex setup vs controllers
- Learning curve for users
- Requires compatible VR system
- Not consumer-accessible price
- Maintenance subscription required
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Microfluidic haptic + force feedback gloves |
| Tactile Actuators | 135 per glove |
| Force Feedback | Up to 40 lbs per hand |
| Motion Tracking | Submillimeter precision |
| Power System | Airpack pneumatic unit |
| Airpack Weight | ~17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Battery Life | Up to 3 hours |
| Sizes | Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large |
| SDK | Unity, Unreal, C++, ROS |
| Price | $5,495/pair + ~$500/month |