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How haptic internet will transform digital interaction beyond sight and sound

FEB. 4, 2025
2 Min Read
by
Lumenalta
Haptic internet transforms digital interactions, bringing touch to technology's sensory frontier beyond sight and sound.
For decades, digital innovation has centered on what we can see and hear—high-definition video, crystal-clear audio, and richer visuals. But the next frontier of user experience in the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sector will engage a different sense: touch.
Haptic internet adds texture and sensation to digital interactions, elevating them into immersive, sensory-rich experiences. This isn’t science fiction—haptic internet technology is here, and it’s poised to reshape how TMT organizations engage with users.

Three core technologies must work in harmony for haptic success

Haptic internet adds physical sensations like texture and pressure to virtual experiences. It relies on three key elements working in harmony:
  1. Precision sensors and actuators form the foundation of realistic touch
These are the front lines of the haptic experience, translating physical movements, textures, and pressures into digital data. Sensors capture a user’s movements and environmental factors, while actuators reproduce these sensations, mimicking textures or vibrations on the user’s end.
The realism of a haptic experience hinges on the sensitivity and accuracy of these devices, making users feel like they’re truly interacting with virtual objects.
2. Ultra-low latency networks are critical for natural touch interactions
Haptic internet requires ultra-low latency—any delays break the illusion of real-time touch. This is where advanced networks like 5G come into play, supporting latency as low as one millisecond to create seamless tactile interactions across distances.
With 5G and future networks, haptic internet can support applications like remote surgery, where instant responsiveness is crucial.
3. Real-time algorithms transform raw data into authentic sensations
The algorithms behind haptic internet transform raw touch data into realistic sensations. They process variations in texture, pressure, and movement, adjusting in real time to make interactions feel authentic.
Together, these three components deliver responsive, precise feedback that brings virtual experiences to life.

Haptic technology is already revolutionizing multiple industries

While still a nascent technology, haptic internet is already making waves in several different areas.

Touch-based interfaces are making digital interactions more natural and intuitive

Haptic internet adds a new layer to human-computer interactions, which have traditionally been built around sight and sound. Interfaces can now respond to tactile input.
Imagine a smartwatch that doesn’t just vibrate but uses nuanced patterns to communicate distinct messages—a tap for an incoming call, a subtle buzz for an email, or a pulsing reminder to drink some water. Fitness wearables could elevate this experience further, guiding users through workouts with tactile cues to adjust posture or speed.
Haptic feedback in workplace training is also a major opportunity; employees could practice operating machinery or medical tools with realistic physical feedback, dramatically enhancing training effectiveness.

Physical sensation is the missing piece in AR/VR experience

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have expanded the horizons of gaming, remote work, and training, but they’re still largely visual and auditory. Tactile internet adds the missing piece that users need to physically feel their virtual environments.
In virtual product development, for instance, designers can simulate a prototype’s feel—its grainy texture, smooth curves, or solid weight—before anything is built. This added dimension can streamline design adjustments and improve outcomes, making virtual prototyping more intuitive and realistic.

Tactile feedback makes smart homes more trustworthy and accessible

Haptic internet enables more intuitive, responsive interactions with connected home devices. Smart locks can send a tactile “click” to your phone when the door is securely locked, while a kitchen appliance vibrates to signal it’s time for maintenance.
Remote control systems with haptic feedback also allow users to interact with smart devices as if they’re physically present. User confidence in smart environments rises in turn.

Touch will transform passive content into interactive experiences

The media and entertainment industries stand to gain significantly from tactile internet, especially as it relates to how users experience digital content.

4D experiences will make storytelling more emotionally engaging

With haptic internet, experiencing content shifts from passive viewing to a fully interactive journey. 4D movies are a great example, amplifying the narrative with tactile elements—like the rumble of an explosion or the delicate touch of raindrops—that pull audiences deeper into the story.
This shift extends beyond film. Haptic feedback opens doors for brands to craft interactive ads where users can feel the softness of fabric or the grip of a product right through their screens.
Apple’s VisionOS illuminates how spatial computing can reshape user interaction, enabling these kinds of real-world textures to blend seamlessly into digital experiences. This dynamic approach changes the game for creators and marketers alike, transforming digital storytelling into a more emotionally resonant experience.

Digital artists can now sculpt and create with virtual touch

For digital artists and designers, haptic internet opens up new creative possibilities. It adds depth to digital creations, allowing users to experience textures and details as though they’re physically present. You could create a virtual sculpture and be able to feel the smoothness or roughness of its surface on a touchscreen.
Haptic-enabled design tools can also provide creators with a tactile experience, letting them work with digital materials that feel like clay, stone, or metal.

Gaming evolution moves beyond simple vibration to rich tactile experiences

Gaming is also benefiting significantly from haptic internet, moving beyond simple controller vibrations to a full spectrum of tactile feedback. Players can feel the resistance of different terrains, sense the impact of an explosion, or experience the tension of a bowstring as they pull it back into a virtual environment.
Our collaboration with FITGMR brought this concept to life, designing an app that leverages dynamic haptic feedback to enhance the gaming experience. FITGMR’s app goes beyond gameplay, integrating mental and physical health into an immersive platform that engages players on multiple levels.

Network infrastructure must evolve to support touch-based internet

The haptic internet needs a network as fast and responsive as touch itself, supporting its high data demands and enabling seamless connectivity.

Ultra-low latency is essential for realistic touch experiences

Ultra-low latency and high bandwidth are non-negotiable for haptic experiences to seem real. A surgeon needing to feel during remote procedures, for instance, requires latency as low as one millisecond.
5G technology plays a pivotal role here, as does edge computing, which reduces delays by processing haptic data closer to users. Together, these technologies enable the fast, responsive experiences users expect​.

Standardization is key to consistent cross-platform touch experiences

For haptic internet to go mainstream, we need to standardize how tactile data is transmitted so users can feel a consistent experience across any device. Just as audio and video rely on standard codecs, haptic data needs universal protocols.
In Lumenalta’s cross-platform development work for WebOS and Tizen, we faced similar challenges in creating a consistent user experience across varied tech environments. This experience underlined the importance of adaptable frameworks and cross-platform compatibility—values that are driving the push toward standardized haptic codecs.
By establishing universal protocols, organizations like the Haptics Industry Forum are setting the stage for haptic feedback that’s as smooth and reliable as streaming video, no matter what device or platform you’re on​.

Haptic services open new revenue streams for tech and media providers

Haptic internet is a compelling business opportunity for telcos. Offering haptic services could open new revenue streams, from subscription-based tactile experiences to partnerships with tech and media companies looking to enhance their products.

Four critical challenges must be solved for widespread haptic adoption

While the haptic internet promises a sensory-rich future, a few technical hurdles must be addressed to bring it to a wider audience.
  1. Latency and bandwidth optimization: Video buffers may be frustrating, but even the slightest delay in tactile feedback can break the illusion completely. Ensuring low latency via 5G and edge computing is critical.
  2. Haptic data compression techniques: Tactile data is bulky, and transmitting it can quickly eat up bandwidth. Advanced data compression methods help lighten the load, making it possible to send rich, detailed haptic experiences without clogging networks or sacrificing quality.
  3. Scalability and integration with existing TMT systems: Haptic internet needs to scale seamlessly across devices and platforms. Rather than reworking entire infrastructures, adaptable frameworks ensure that haptic experiences—from virtual showrooms to remote training—can grow without constant upgrades.
  4. Security and privacy considerations for haptic data: Because haptic data records deeply personal interactions, it comes with unique privacy concerns. Keeping this data secure requires encrypting transmissions and guarding against unauthorized access.

Haptic internet is breaking down traditional industry boundaries

Haptic internet is driving convergence in the TMT sector, breaking down traditional silos between tech, media, and telecom companies. With this technology, cross-sector partnerships are poised to deliver rich, touch-enabled experiences that blur the lines between entertainment, communication, and user engagement.
A media streaming giant, a telecom provider, and a tech innovator, for example, could join forces to create fully tactile movie streaming. Meanwhile, tech and telecom companies could team up to develop immersive, haptic-enabled remote work tools.
In addition to collaborations like these, we’re also likely to see new players dedicated solely to advancing haptic tech. These specialized companies could develop cutting-edge components, such as hyper-responsive haptic sensors or advanced rendering algorithms, which would integrate with products across sectors.

Early haptic adoption will create competitive advantages in TMT

The haptic internet brings a range of business implications for the TMT sector, from new monetization strategies to enhanced customer engagement.
  1. New revenue models and monetization strategies: Subscription services, pay-per-touch options, and partnerships with tech and media brands can deliver fresh income streams.
  2. Customer engagement and retention: Offering haptic-enabled experiences can differentiate brands, keeping customers engaged with unique, immersive experiences.
  3. Competitive advantages: Early adoption of haptic technologies delivers a notable edge, especially in user engagement and product differentiation.
  4. Investment in R&D: Prioritizing R&D in haptic technology positions companies to stay at the forefront of this technological shift.

New touch technologies require new privacy and safety guidelines

With new possibilities come new responsibilities, and the haptic internet brings its own set of regulatory and ethical challenges:
Content regulation and age restrictions: As haptic content becomes part of gaming and media, age restrictions may be necessary to prevent misuse or addictive behaviors in younger audiences.
Data protection and privacy laws: Haptic interactions capture unique personal data. Privacy laws will need to evolve to protect this sensitive information.
Addressing potential misuse: Clear standards are crucial to prevent misuse. Guidelines for ethical content creation will help keep trust intact as this technology grows.

Companies must act now to prepare for a touch-enabled future

The haptic internet promises to redefine digital interaction, opening up new avenues for the TMT sector to explore. As this technology matures, early adopters are set to gain a significant leg up on the competition with immersive, tactile experiences that set their brands apart.
Positioning for this transformation now—through strategic investments, partnerships, and a commitment to innovation—will help companies prepare for a haptic-integrated future.
Discover haptic internet's revolutionary potential today.