How we create haptic feedback

Learn more about how our rotary haptic feedback actuators work

HAPTICORE is our innovative haptic feedback technology for rotary input devices in human-machine interfaces (HMI). Our HAPTICORE rotary haptic actuators provide fully customizable haptic feedback via software. This way HAPTICORE makes the operation of any HMI simple, safe, and intuitive. To achieve this, we make use of our patented MR (magnetorheological) technology – no motor or vibrotactile actuator.

Using our HAPTICORE software solutions, every element of the haptic feedback can be fully customized. This includes characteristics such as strength, number, and spacing of ticks, rotation resistances, or position of end stops. Design custom haptic feedback patterns for a stronger physical connection with your user interface with only a few klicks.

Product Portfolio HAPTICORE Software

Image of the HAPTICORE product portfolio without covers. HAPTICORE are rotary haptic actuators with freely programmable haptic feedback. From left to right: HAPTICORE 40-P001X1, HAPTICORE 34-P001X3, HAPTICORE 34-P001X2, HAPTICORE 34-P001X1, and the HAPTICORE 14-P001X1.

The secret behind our haptic feedback technology

MR Fluid & MR Powder – The smart materials allowing our rotary tactile actuators to create haptic feedback

MR fluid exposed to a magnetic field. You can see how the particles link together, forming spikes that grow larger towards the center of the magnetic field.

Instead of a motor or LRAs (Linear Resonant Actuators), our HAPTICORE haptic feedback rotary actuators rely on MR materials (magnetorheological fluid and powder). These smart materials change their rheological state and build strong particle bridges when exposed to a magnetic field.

By modifying the magnetic field inside our actuators, we generate intricate haptic feedback in real-time, with extremely efficient energy consumption. Learn more about the smart materials in our rotary haptic feedback actuators.

MR Materials

What happens in our haptic actuators

How we generate haptic feedback

The HAPTICORE rotary haptic actuator consists of an outer shell and a stator. The outer shell rotates around the stator. The gap between the stator and the outer shell (MRM chamber) is filled with magnetorheological material (MR Fluid or MR Powder).

The stator includes a hall sensor to detect the position of the rotor as well as a coil. As soon as a current is applied, the coil turns into an electromagnet.

Without applying electricity to the coil, the outer shell can rotate uninhibited, allowing the HAPTICORE to spin freely.
The electrified coil generates a magnetic field, which immediately changes the rheological state of the magnetic fluid or powder and thus stops the actuators’ rotation.
The rotation is detected via the hall sensor and a magnetic ring with a finer resolution than 0.1 degrees.
By controlling the electricity’s duration and strength via software we can create our customizable haptic feedback patterns.

Schematic illustration of the individual components of a HAPTICORE rotary haptic actuator, consisting of the cover of the actuator, which also acts as the rotor, a chamber filled with magnetorheological fluid or powder, a coil that generates a magnetic field when a current is applied, an iron core that additionally serves as the stator of the rotary actuator, and a sealing ring.

In a few steps to your own haptic feedback patterns

Discover our HAPTICORE software solutions

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HAPTICORE haptic feedback actuator operating principle

Illustration of the construction of both a HAPTICORE rotary encoder and a thumbwheel, demonstrating how the MR material (MR fluid or MR powder) behaves in the chamber between the outer shell and the iron core and coil in the center. In the off-state, the material moves freely; in the on-state, when a current is applied to the coil, a magnetic field is created, causing the iron particles to compress and form particle bridges. The created friction is perceptible as haptic feedback when the operator turns the device.

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HAPTICORE Eval Kits

Experience the immersive haptic feedback of our actuators firsthand with our HAPTICORE evaluation & dev kits.

Integrate our smart haptic technology into your prototype projects. Replace conventional control elements, and go beyond the limitations of traditional UI design.

HAPTICORE Eval Kits