SONY has filed a new patent that could see major upgrades made to its PlayStation 5 controller, including the ability to emulate temperature.
The patent goes over a number of ways that haptic feedback could be enhanced on a controller like the PS5’s DualSense, including the introduction of a new elastic grip.
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The elastic grip would be able to change hardness or shape depending on what was going on in the game, to provide new sensations to the player.
This would also work in reverse, with the game changing depending on how hard or soft the player is gripping the controller.
The other major addition would be the ability to emulate temperature, making the controller grips hotter or colder depending on the game.
This could be used to make the controller feel warm in a level filled with lava, or slightly cooler in a level filled with ice or underwater.
PlayStation has often been at the forefront of new controller technologies, such as the addition of gyro in its PS3 controller and adaptive triggers in the PS5 DualSense controller.
The DualSense also has advanced haptic feedback using a linear actuator, just like the Nintendo Switch’s HD Rumble, allowing a finer level of rumble.
It also comes with a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing players to chat to each other without the need for a headset.
In terms of advanced controllers, PlayStation is probably the most technically capable, followed by the Nintendo Switch controller.
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Xbox controllers, on the other hand, have fallen behind a bit, offering no fine rumble and no gyroscopic capabilities.
This means that games that support gyroscopic aiming typically lack the feature on Xbox, but not on PlayStation and Switch.
This new Sony patent is only a concept though, and it could be years before the technology makes it into a real product.
Most technology companies patent ideas that could be technically feasible, even if they’re not commercially feasible.
Sony in particular has patented a range of different technologies for use in PlayStation consoles that have yet to make an appearance in a final product.
Still, this patent shows that Sony is once again looking to improve its market-leading controllers, and could mean big things for players.
Written by Oliver Brandt on behalf of GLHF.
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