Virtual Reality gadgets that elevate the sensory experience: gloves, vests, chairs, and much more

Virtual Reality has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, but there is still one challenge to be solved: how to make the experience feel truly real.

Beyond the visual impact of headsets, there are a number of devices and accessories that stimulate touch, movement, and even perception of the physical environment.

Haptic gloves, vests that transmit vibrations, swivel chairs that respond to your gaze... these gadgets not only enhance immersion, but completely transform how we interact with the virtual world.

In this article, we explore the most innovative technologies in sensory hardware for VR, with real-world examples, use cases, and their potential to take the immersive experience to a new level.

Why are sensory accessories key to Virtual Reality?

Beyond the visual: the challenge of complete immersion

Traditional virtual reality relies primarily on visual and auditory stimuli, which generate feelings of presence, but often fail to replicate physical interactions. Incorporating haptic feedback—tactile and movement sensations—is essential to closing the sensory gap and making the experience truly believable.

The role of haptic feedback in the perception of realism

This type of technology activates specific areas of the body so that the user perceives impacts, textures, vibrations, or variations in resistance. The result is a deeper and more emotionally rich immersion, as the brain interprets these signals as part of the virtual environment.

Haptic gloves: feel the virtual world with your hands

Haptic gloves combine actuators (such as vibrators, magnetic brakes, or pneumatic microactuators) with motion sensors to emulate textures, force, resistance, and contours. Currently, these are the main models available on the market:

HaptX Gloves G1: pneumatic microactuators

They use pneumatic microactuators under a silicone skin to simulate precise and realistic touch of virtual objects. Their advanced design is widely used in business and research environments.

SenseGlove Nova 2: tactile and force feedback

SenseGlove, originally from the Netherlands, provides force and vibration feedback. The Nova 2 version adds active feedback in the palm, significantly enhancing the perception of realism in professional simulations.

Guante háptico Sharp: vibration by tip and integrated controllers

Sharp is developing gloves that integrate vibrating panels in the fingers and physical buttons compatible with current games, combining touch with traditional control ergonomics.

Haptic vests and suits for body feedback

These devices generate sensations in the torso or entire body, providing a broader immersive dimension.

bHaptics TactSuit X40: vibration distributed across the torso and arms

Vest with up to 40 vibration motors that connect via Bluetooth and provide physical feedback synchronized with the content. Compatible with popular games such as Half-Life Alyx and Beat Saber.

Woojer Vest 3: haptic feedback through sound

Converts audio into tactile vibrations that envelop the user. Works not only with VR, but also with music or movies, simulating sensations such as explosions or rain.

Swivel chairs and dynamic platforms: movement synchronized with the experience

Roto VR Explorer

The Roto VR Explorer, unveiled at CES 2025 alongside Meta, automatically rotates in the direction of the user's gaze—thanks to its “look and turn” system—and significantly reduces motion sickness. It also incorporates haptic feedback throughout the seat and is designed for long, comfortable sessions.

Advanced platforms for professional simulation

Systems such as D‑BOX (used in cinema, driving and flight simulation) or Yaw VR simulators offer professional-level synchronized dynamism, enhancing immersion in B2B or high-end applications.

Emerging technology: the future of haptic hardware in VR

In addition to the models mentioned above, technology is advancing at breakneck speed, and other types of devices are already being developed that, although not yet commercially available, demonstrate the disruptive potential of dynamic haptics and pave the way for truly multisensory VR experiences.

For example, there are already prototypes that modify the weight and center of gravity of each controller using liquid metal, significantly increasing the perception of realism when manipulating virtual objects. There are even devices that are placed on the wrists and are capable of changing shape and consistency to adapt and simulate interaction with dynamic objects, providing feedback through touch.

In addition, for years, multiple companies have been working on developing devices that allow for the recreation and stimulation of senses such as smell and even taste. These proposals are still far from becoming a commercial reality, but they indicate the direction the industry is taking to make Virtual Reality as realistic as possible.

Thus, in the short term, we can imagine the possibility of developing experiences where we not only stimulate sight and hearing but also use other variables to generate sensations and perceptions that make experiences even more realistic, including variations where weight, texture, and shape become an integral part of the virtual environment and interactive objects for the user.

How can DeuSens help you integrate these devices into your VR experiences?

At DeuSens, we have constant access to the latest innovations in Virtual Reality gadgets due to our development needs, which always seek to offer the latest in technology. For this reason, we can help you develop turnkey Hyper-experiences that integrate these haptic technologies with advanced immersive proposals:

• Design and production of personalized sensory content.
• Technical integration of gloves, vests, rotating platforms, or VR furniture.
• Activations at events, trade shows, educational environments, and corporate VR.
• Interactive experiences that combine video, sound, haptics, and immersive storytelling.

If you have a project in mind and need professional support in developing Virtual Reality experiences for businesses, write to us and tell us about your idea!