Sharp Introduces Prototype VR Controller Merging Haptic Gloves with Traditional Buttons

So, here’s a wild one. You know Sharp, right? The company that’s famous for making your TV or something, suddenly they’re all into VR now. Yeah, they popped out this prototype VR haptic controller in Japan. Crazy, huh? Anyway, the thing’s supposed to let you feel stuff in VR. Feels like the future’s right around the corner or something…

So, imagine having these things on your fingertips — they call them “multi-segmented tactile elements.” Fancy words for, like, little bits that vibrate and make your fingers think they’re touching something real, like smooth stone or rough paper. Not perfect, they admit, but you can play around with it. Change the vibes, change the feels. Sounds like a science experiment my old science teacher would’ve loved.

Oh, and they’re not keeping this secret, locked away like some mysterious gadget. Sharp’s like, “Let’s work with real, everyday folks to make this better.” Makes you feel like they want us in on it. But hey, I’m just rambling here.

There’s even a picture floating around — well, you gotta click to see it — but no gloves. Don’t expect delicate finger dances though. They’re keeping it basic like old-school controllers with sticks and buttons and all that. But, they didn’t really make it clear how these gloves will work with current trackers…

Now, here’s the kicker. It’s in that demo phase, so we might never see this unicorn in stores. Yet, they’ve got this thing running at ¥100,000. Not cheap. They even warn it might not hit the shelves. Bold, right? But if you’re lucky and in Japan, maybe you’ll get to be a part of their test squad.

Why’s Sharp diving headfirst into VR? Turns out, they’ve been hanging around the XR scene longer than you’d think. Once tops in VR displays for Meta Quest 2 and cooked up some AR glasses with NTT Docomo last year — they called them MiRZA or something. Anyway — oh, where was I?

Can’t say if any of this will stick, but Sharp’s rolling the dice. I don’t know why they’re doing it, but they are. Maybe they’re onto something big, or maybe they just wanted to shake things up. Who knows. Feels like watching a movie you don’t quite understand, but can’t look away from.