May 3, 2024 Navigating Haptic Product Manufacturing

5 essential considerations in choosing your Haptics manufacturing partner.

By Kyle Skippon

The world of haptics is a dynamic frontier, teeming with innovation and potential. Forecasts indicate that the haptics industry will be worth USD 5 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% during the growth period. And as an increasing number of consumer gadgets embrace touch-based solutions, the demand for haptics is set to grow within the next five years (source).

Yet, the journey from conception to production of a haptic product is far from straightforward.  Forbes has reported that the high cost of components, materials, and production is a significant factor in the failure of robotic startups, which are often reliant on haptic technologies (source). CB Insights also highlights the unique challenges faced by hardware startups, citing a high failure rate due to factors such as design flaws, the capital-intensive nature leading to a high burn rate, and issues related to manufacturing costs and scaling up (source).

So what are some things businesses have to consider when manufacturing their own products?

1. Understanding Manufacturing Complexities:

When manufacturing haptic products, many complexities often stem from the inherent intricacies of haptic technology. Creating such products requires a deep understanding of haptics. It’s not just about knowing the right materials to use or the right design to implement. It’s about understanding how to translate digital signals into physical sensations that feel natural and intuitive to the user.

Haptic feedback often involves elements such as vibration, force, and motion, all of which must be meticulously calibrated to create the desired sensations. Moreover, haptics must also be seamlessly integrated with the other components of the product, such as the user interface and the software platform. This requires a holistic manufacturing approach, where every element is designed and built with the overall user experience in mind. A manufacturer must have specialized knowledge and experience within the haptics industry in order to create a viable haptic product.

2. Managing Cost Constraints:

Hardware startups, like many tech-based ventures, are often subject to tight budget constraints. This is largely due to the capital-intensive nature of their work. Developing haptic technology products requires significant investment in research, development, and production. ‘

In addition to these upfront costs, haptic startups also grapple with a high burn rate. For tech hardware startups, this rate can be alarmingly high due to the costs associated with rapid growth and expansion, as well as the continuous need for innovation to stay competitive.

Given these financial challenges, it’s clear that startups looking to create a haptic product require a manufacturing partner who can provide cost-effective solutions.

3. Ensuring Technical Feasibility:

The technical precision required in haptics manufacturing can be a significant hurdle. Manufacturing haptics products can be a delicate balancing act that requires a good understanding of both the principles of haptics and the realities of manufacturing. Aspects such as avoiding rattles, designing compliant mechanisms, and securing loose cables and screws must be considered when developing the product.

The product must also perform its intended function effectively and efficiently. This requires meticulous testing and refinement, which can be both time-consuming and costly.

A haptics manufacturer must have the capability to translate innovative designs into feasible products, ensuring the final output meets the intended functionality without compromising on quality.

4. Gauging Market Readiness:

Understanding market dynamics involves having a finger on the pulse of the industry. It’s about knowing what’s happening now, what’s likely to happen next, and how these trends could impact the product. Similarly, it’s important to understand consumer needs. The most innovative product in the world won’t sell if it doesn’t meet a real need or desire in the target market.

Businesses should consider whether or not their chosen manufacturer understands the market dynamics and consumer needs. The manufacturer should be able to provide insights into market readiness and potential demand, aiding startups in aligning their products with market trends.

5. Achieving Production Scalability:

Scalability is a common challenge for many startups, particularly in the haptics field. Scalability is not just about increasing production volumes—it’s about doing so without sacrificing product quality. As haptics products are often much more intricate and complex due to their moving mechanism, maintaining quality during scale-up can be particularly challenging.

Businesses should ensure that their chosen manufacturer has the capacity to keep up with increasing demand, as well as robust quality control systems in place to ensure that every product, regardless of the volume produced, meets the highest quality standards.

For small-to-medium businesses, the choice of a manufacturer is not just about production; it’s about survival. It’s a multi-faceted decision that could impact every aspect of your business, from product quality and delivery timelines to customer satisfaction and bottom-line profitability. Choosing the right manufacturing partner can give you a competitive edge, helping you to deliver superior products, foster customer loyalty, and ultimately, drive business growth.

To learn more about the considerations for haptic device manufacturing, visit the TITAN Haptics website: https://titanhaptics.com/manufacturing.

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