Novint Falcon Haptic Device Revamped

Novint Technologies has upgraded the Novint Falcon haptic device by giving it a sleek new industrial design. This innovate interface device makes high-fidelity interactive 3D touch possible and practical for consumer computing. Novint Falcon allows users playing touch-compatible games to feel shape, texture, dimension, weight, dynamics and 3D motion and force effects. It is essentially a robot with 3D sensations that are far superior that 2D devices.

Novint plans to develop new 3D touch products and make Falcon available to the global game industry in 2007. Although earlier haptic hardware was expensive for consumer use, Novint Falcon has now been designed to be retailed for less than $100 USD in the mass market.

The Novint Falcon connects to PC platforms through a USB port. It has an “end effector” or handle in different shapes and forms, which can be easily detached and changed for specific uses. The Falcon overcomes the limitations of the computer mouse as it can even move up and down. The freedom of mobility coupled with its interactive touch feedback allows users to play more spontaneously.  

Falcon has incorporated realistic touch to video games to augment the regular graphics and sound. The players are able to ‘feel’ the action - for instance, the weight of the basketball as they shoot it towards a hoop or the recoil of a weapon. Falcon adds that spark of realism to interactions.

Tom Anderson, founder and CEO of Novint said, “Our haptic technology is so realistic that a surgeon can use it to practice a medical procedure before ever touching a live patient. Now, with our introduction of an affordable hardware solution, games can also benefit from the addition of 3D touch.”

Novint worked closely with Lunar Design and Force Dimension to combat technical, aesthetic and cost barriers while developing a sophisticated 3D touch device for consumers.

Novint Falcon offers an original collection of touch-enabled games, which demonstrate the power of this technology through a variety of genres. Novint also plans to license its patented technology to game developers and publishers, giving them a valuable product differentiator that can be seamlessly and cost-effectively added to new or existing content.

Source: Novint