Haptics could be reimagined as a new language we feel, not see

A Tallinn University doctoral thesis suggests haptic feedback could develop into “tactons,” structured tactile messages with specific meaning.

These vibration patterns could communicate emotion, urgency, and environmental cues, moving beyond simple buzz alerts.

Potential uses include reducing anxiety, supporting storytelling, and improving accessibility for blind or low-vision users.

The idea could make phones, smartwatches, smart clothing, and controllers like Sony DualSense more expressive and useful.