MIT Event Spotlights New Hand Exoskeleton Tech

Haptikos, Inc. presented a new hand exoskeleton at the 1st Annual MIT Experiential Innovation Event in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The exoskeleton is part of an integrated hardware and software ecosystem.

Partnered with the company’s AI-infused Haptik_OS, the exoskeleton and OS combination brings a complete sense of touch to VR and AR apps and use cases. Haptikos exoskeleton prototypes are already in use by companies such as Siemens and Leonardo and are designed for markets ranging from medical, defense and robotics.

The exoskeleton prototype makes it possible to feel the distinct sensations of different materials, from smooth surfaces to intricate textures. Whether handling virtual objects in training or design, Haptikos makes digital environments feel tangible and lifelike, enhancing overall realism. With a rise of 12 ms and a fall time of 55 ms, Haptikos ensures every touch and interaction feels immediate and smooth.

The Haptikos hand exoskeleton has 24 Degrees of Freedom per hand (DoF), with sub-millimeter motion accuracy and 8 hours continuous usage. With control over every joint, users are ensured of lifelike movements from the most delicate gestures to the most complex actions. Each exoskeleton includes: tracking sensors, Haptic sensors, and Kinaesthetic sensors (will be added later in 2025).

The haptik_OS app is the central hub for connecting Haptikos exoskeleton and integrating their capabilities into projects and motion control, redirecting this data into the Unity Software Development Kit (SDK).

The haptik_OS is itself at the core of the Haptikos ecosystem, connecting developers, designers, and end-users to create lifelike, intuitive and immersive experiences. Through built-in AI functionality, haptik_OS automatically adapts pre-built libraries into new haptic XR applications in Unity, simplifying both integration and scaling.

"Haptikos exoskeletons have expanded the training program for the postpartum balloon procedure,” said Dr. Aoife Mcevoy, Specialist Registrar & Clinical Tutor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology National Maternity Hospital | UCD School of Medicine. “Both clinicians and students experienced a significant improvement in their procedural skills following the use of Haptikos. The realistic tactile feedback and precise control enabled by Haptikos allowed for a more immersive and effective learning experience, greatly enhancing trainee confidence levels in their skillset for this critical procedure.”

“Haptikos really impressed the entire MIT Innovation Technology team with their advanced haptics, and we are extremely pleased they saw the value of launching at our premiere event in tandem with the MIT Reality Hack,” said Maria Rice, Executive Director of the MIT Reality Hack. “Haptics have been a long-overlooked component of a complete XR solution, and their combination of haptics, operating system and AI combined with the industry-leading Unity SDK is a win for all developers seeking the next XR frontier.”