By Margaret Russell 
In today’s world, communication increasingly happens through the internet and mobile devices—messengers, video calls, social networks. We are used tо seeing faces and hearing voices, but fully conveying touch and tactile sensations remains a challenge. However, the development оf sensory devices and haptic feedback technologies opens new possibilities: sensory hands and gloves that can transmit physical sensations remotely.
How Do Sensory Hands Work?
Sensory hands are devices equipped with pressure, vibration, and motion sensors that capture user actions (such as finger squeezing or touching) and transmit this data to another person. The recipient then feels tactile signals through a similar device—a glove or prosthesis capable of reproducing vibrations, pressure, and surface textures.
Current Developments And Real Devices
Below are some advanced technologies and devices already in use or actively being developed.
| Device | Features And Functions | Practical Benefits |
| HaptX Gloves | Multi-point haptic feedback, pressure and texture simulation | Assist in remote training, VR/AR, medical rehab, and design |
| SenseGlove | Force and finger movement feedback in a sensory glove | Used for surgeon training, engineering, and VR simulations |
| NeuroDigital Technologies GloveOne | Vibrational haptic feedback, hand movement tracking | Enhances virtual reality interaction, training, and gaming |
| TACTO | Sensor for transmitting textures and vibrations | Helps visually impaired users “feel” objects via gadgets |
| Haptics-Enabled Prosthetic Hands | Sensory prosthetics with touch and pressure feedback | Improve quality of life for amputees by enabling sensation |
Why Is This Important In Communication?
Virtual touch can add a new level of emotional closeness to long-distance communication—for example, the ability to “shake hands,” “hug,” or “caress” a loved one via the internet. This is vital for families, friends, and couples separated by distance. These technologies also aid telemedicine and remote learning—doctors can “feel” patient movements or train skills through virtual simulations.
Prospects And Challenges
These technologies are still far from mass adoption: equipment is expensive and requires improvements in comfort and accuracy of sensation transmission. Also, standards and protocols for transmitting tactile data in real-time over the internet with minimal delay are necessary.
But the potential is huge: sensory hands and gloves could completely transform communication formats, adding tactile sensations to the digital world and becoming a new language of emotions and interaction.