The DualSense controller for the PS5 may be getting a new feature upgrade that allows it to mimic a shift in temperature. A new patent that Sony has published reveals that it’s potentially working on a controller that utilizes upgraded haptics technology to make gameplay more immersive.
The currently available DualSense already takes gameplay up a notch with the adaptive triggers and advanced haptics. The adaptive triggers allow moments in-game to manipulate the response of the trigger pull force. Pulling an bowstring back for example could require more force on the trigger to fully pull it back. The advanced haptics meanwhile, can do things like mimic the surface your character is walking on. It does this by adjusting the vibration the haptics give off. So walking on grass, sand or dirt is accompanied by softer haptics. While walking on metal, wood, or glass changes the vibration to be more noticeable.
According to the patent, spotted by Exputer, this new controller would incorporate haptic technology that uses an “elastically deformable elastic member” which could alter the controller’s shape slightly based on player touch sensing and in-game events. The controller would also include a temperature control section. This would send electric signals to the deformable elastic member to cause a shift in temperature. Imagine walking through fire and this in-game moment sends a signal to the temperature control section of the controller. Which then warms up the elastic member section to mimic that action.
The patent also explains that the controller would include a sensor which measures different actions. Specifically if the elastic portion were touched, pinched, pressed with a finger, rubbed etc.
The temperature feature wouldn’t come to the current PS5 controller
It’s quite obvious that, this is a feature that’s dependent on hardware. So it’s not something players should expect to see come with an update to the DualSense they already own. Rather this is probably something that would be implemented later. Say in a new version of the DualSense further in the PS5’s lifecycle.
Perhaps one that launches around the time of the rumored PS5 Pro that’s suspected to launch holiday 2024. That being said the controller or these features may never see the light of day. It might be hard to think of a controller having such capabilities. But Sony envisions advancing controller technology to make haptics and gameplay more immersive.
“However, recent years have seen widespread use of technologies that present vibrations and force sensations in order to enrich user experiences in gaming and the like. The present invention has been made in light of the above circumstances, and it is an object thereof to provide a controller capable of enriching haptic experiences” the patent reads.
Sony continues by noting that “An aspect of the present invention to solve the above problem of the conventional example is a controller that includes a sensor using an elastically deformable elastic member, and this sensor detects user’s contact with or deforming action of the elastic member and outputs an electric signal based on the detected contact or deforming action in question.”
2023-04-07 15:08:58