The Haptic reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Haptic

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Haptic is a term referring to the technology of touch. It is an emerging technology, that promises to have wide reaching implications. Data representing touch sensations may be saved or played back using haptic technologies.

Some low-end haptic devices are already common. Some Joysticks and game controllers provide haptic feedback. The simplest form are "rumble packs", which are simply attachments which vibrate upon command from the software. Some joysticks also support force feedback.

Some research has been done into simulating the different kinds of tactition by means of high-speed vibrations or other stimuli.

One envisioned use of haptics is for "teledildonics". This used to be a fanciful notion, not really having any bearing on reality, but recent developments such as the 'cyber glove' indicate that it might not be so strange a notion. Some sex toys are now available which can be computer controlled; normally this comes in the form of an online movie or website which sends commands to the toy at scripted moments. It is not uncommon that the pornography industry is among the early adopters of a new technology; for example, the multiple-viewpoint feature of DVDs was first widely used in pornography.

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