Razer introduces Sensa HD Haptics and Project Esther: Gaming Haptics Redefined

CES Las Vegas, Mobile World Congress

In the world of gaming, live streams have become a beloved pastime for enthusiasts who enjoy watching their favorite players showcase their skills and achieve remarkable victories. But what if there was a way to elevate this experience beyond just visual and auditory immersion? Razer, the gaming technology company, has brought this dream to life with the introduction of Project Esther – the World’s First HD Haptics Gaming Cushion, powered by their latest innovation, Razer Sensa HD Haptics.

At CES 2024, Razer launched Project Esther, an extraordinary gaming cushion that incorporates haptic feedback technology to provide gamers with a truly immersive experience. This development was made possible through a collaboration with InterDigital, a global wireless, video, and AI research and development company. Together, they have created the world’s first MPEG haptics streaming experience, which will be showcased at Mobile World Congress 2024.

Visitors to InterDigital’s booth at Hall 7 Stand 7B31 will have the opportunity to witness a haptic-enhanced streaming demo that is guaranteed to leave them in awe. The demo will feature the Razer Sensa HD Haptics setup, including the acclaimed Project Esther, a modified version of the Razer Kraken HyperSense V3 headset, and an HD haptics controller. With a total of 20 haptics endpoints, this setup will provide an unparalleled sensory experience. The streaming will be made possible through InterDigital’s contributions to MPEG haptic and immersive video codecs.

The showcased game at Mobile World Congress 2024 is a prototype racing game meticulously designed to bring the thrilling world of racing to life with astonishing precision. This is not just about speed on the track; it’s about feeling the engine’s roar, the tires’ friction against the asphalt, and the heart-pounding moments of overtaking opponents. Razer Sensa HD Haptics delivers nuanced feedback for every in-game event, from acceleration to cornering, creating a truly immersive racing adventure. The demonstration will highlight the capabilities of Razer Sensa HD Haptics, showcasing both Multidirectional Haptics and Multi Device harmonized haptics, which synchronize the sensory feedback across the gaming cushion, headset, and controller.

The haptic landscape has traditionally been limited to local experiences or proprietary networks. While gaming consoles like Playstation and XBOX offer immersive haptic experiences at home, achieving the same level of haptics simultaneously across a wide audience has been a challenge. Razer’s vision, building upon their Chroma RGB ecosystem, has expanded haptics to new horizons with integrated Interhaptics technology. This integration opens up a world of possibilities for immersive entertainment that can be streamed globally.

Haptics streaming is not limited to gaming alone. It has the potential to revolutionize various forms of entertainment. Imagine feeling the action in real-time while watching your favorite streamers on Twitch, or enjoying movie nights at home with haptic sensations that rival high-end theaters. Cloud gaming sessions could offer a full-body sensory journey, transporting you directly into the game. Haptics technology can also facilitate wellness and focus, with remote meditation sessions guided by gentle vibrations. Additionally, music can be experienced on a whole new level, with bass lines that resonate deep within your soul. The possibilities are endless.

The challenge lies in ensuring that this immersive haptic experience transcends physical boundaries and device limitations. Razer’s strategic acquisition of Interhaptics, a company specializing in haptic software and development, has paved the way for a collaborative technology ecosystem. Their joint efforts have contributed to initiatives like the MPEG haptics standard and the OpenXR standard, bringing immersive haptics APIs to the forefront. Razer’s goal is to make haptics transport available on every system, as envisioned by the Haptics Industry Forum in 2021.

At Mobile World Congress 2024, InterDigital will be showcasing MPEG haptics streaming in partnership with Razer. This demonstration highlights the advancements made possible by the MPEG Haptics standards, incorporating Interhaptics technologies. The MPEG haptics standard is now ready to be incorporated into the market, with key highlights of the showcase including the encoding and transcoding of content created with Interhaptics into MPEG format, and the streaming of gaming clips to smartphones via 5G networks.

Beyond gaming and entertainment, the true potential of haptics lies in its ability to deepen connections and evoke emotions through the sense of touch. As technology continues to evolve, creators will have unprecedented opportunities to engage with their audiences on a deeper level, shaping the future of storytelling and entertainment. Haptics is more than just a technological advancement; it is an art form that enhances storytelling and creates profound connections between content and audience.

In conclusion, the collaboration between Razer, Interhaptics, InterDigital, and other industry leaders marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a truly immersive storytelling experience. With Project Esther and the advancements in haptic technology, the digital world can now be felt in its entirety, bringing us closer to a future where our senses are fully engaged in the virtual realm.

Background Information

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About Razer: Razer is an innovative and award-winning technology company based in San Francisco, California. Since its establishment in 1998, Razer has become a leader in the gaming, laptop, and personal computer industry due to its commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation with its products. Razer’s selection of products include gaming laptops, keyboards, mice, headsets, and more - all designed with one thing in mind, to provide users with the best possible experience. The company prides itself in providing highly reliable and fully optimized hardware that stands out in the crowd. All of Razer’s products feature high-end technology and sleek design, aiming to provide the ultimate gaming experience as well as convenience and optimum performance to the user. Going forward, Razer is set to continue to shape the gaming industry with its industry-leading products and services.

  

Event Info

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About CES: CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, is an annual event held in Las Vegas, Nevada, organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). With a history dating back to 1967, it has become the world's premier platform for unveiling and exploring the latest innovations in consumer electronics and technology. Drawing exhibitors ranging from industry titans to startups across diverse sectors, including automotive, health and wellness, robotics, gaming, and artificial intelligence, CES transforms Las Vegas into a global tech hub, offering a glimpse into the future of technology through a wide array of showcases, from startup-focused Eureka Park to cutting-edge automotive and health tech exhibitions.

  

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About Mobile World Congress: Mobile World Congress (MWC) is a globally recognized and influential annual event held primarily in Barcelona, Spain, but with some editions in other locations. As one of the largest gatherings in the mobile and telecommunications industry, MWC attracts a diverse array of participants, including mobile device manufacturers, telecommunications companies, software developers, and tech enthusiasts. It serves as a critical platform for unveiling the latest mobile technologies, smartphones, network infrastructure, and innovations, often featuring major product launches and announcements.