Haptics refers to the technology that actively enhances the touch experience when engaging with devices, allowing for a more streamlined and stimulating customer experience with surface textures and thermal haptics. IDTechEx's report, “Haptics 2025-2035: Technologies, Markets, Players“, primarily explores tactile haptics, which include vibration, surface texture, contactless haptics, and thermal haptics. IDTechEx expects the haptics market to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% between 2024 and 2035.
The technology behind the touch
Eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motors are actuators known for being both affordable and effective, and with their ability to be rigid and produce a large force, they maintained the status of being the incumbent actuator technology throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. However, due to their lack of variety in sensation and slow response speed, they are beginning to be left behind as other haptic technologies develop.
Linear resonant actuators (LRAs) are the other main actuator, alongside ERM motors, and are now taking over to become more widespread. They are able to provide a more satisfying 'click' experience, along with a wider variety of sensations, and possess faster acceleration than ERMs. With their force in a single axis, they can provide more refined feedback while still being fairly low in cost, making them a desirable option within the actuator market.
Voice coil motors (VCMs) or custom electromagnetic actuators can provide a greater range of responses with their reduced resonance and faster speed, though can be likened to LRAs. IDTechEx reports that these actuators require no reliance on materials that may be tricky to obtain, making their acquisition more feasible. However, due to their reduced resonance, they have a higher power consumption and make require large volumes and complex structures, which may increase overall costs.
Piezoelectric actuators are beneficial due to their small size and wide bandwidth and can be used to integrate sensing capabilities without complex arrangements. These characteristics don't come cheap and are likely to be more expensive than alternatives, especially since they also require specialized drivers and higher voltages, meaning their uptake may not become widespread anytime soon.
Smartphones, smartwatches, and automotive interiors
Smartphones are one of the main markets for haptic feedback, with almost all smartphones incorporating an LRA for the keyboard and touchscreen experience, a trend started by Apple to provide an enhanced user experience with their products. The smartphone market is still recognized as the most important market for haptics as of 2025. Laptops and tablets are also moving away from physical press clicks to haptic-enhanced use, requiring less force for a more streamlined use, seen in Apple MacBooks, though this is considered to still be in the growing adoption phase.
Game controllers and handheld devices are another core market for haptics, as they provide vibrational feedback during games, with LRAs again being the dominant choice. The high engagement qualities of playing video games can largely be attributed to these haptics technologies, as the sensation of a reactive controller in response to an action on screen can increase the immersive experience of a game.
Wrist-worn wearables, such as smartwatches, can be categorized as a core market, though with some growing adoption underway. ERMs and LRAs are mostly used in these devices, through due to the small size of such devices, the space for actuator technologies is limited, opening the possibility for use of more compact actuator technologies in the future.
The automotive market is beginning to incorporate more haptics and is one of the main growing markets for this technology, as car manufacturers are looking to streamline passenger experience in parallel with new electric and automotive vehicle designs. Haptics can also allow for a cleaner and more functional use, while potentially reducing manufacturing costs as button features are built-in, without the need for additional materials. Tesla's incorporation of indicator buttons on the steering wheel is an example of this, while car touch screens have been one of the largest applications for haptics in automotive interiors, or heated seat buttons that require a simple tap to be activated.
The replacement of buttons has generated mixed opinions from consumers; however, with companies like Volkswagen claiming that its decision to switch to haptic controls was not received positively. While haptics technology within automotive interiors may seem like an innovative and exciting way forward, the importance of customer reactions may determine the extent to which haptic controls are implemented.
Emerging technologies and outlook
IDTechEx's report, “Haptics 2025-2035: Technologies, Markets, Players”, recognizes the emerging actuator technologies that are still in their stages of early adoption, including Piezo polymer, electrostatic friction (ESF), ultrasonic vibration (USV), and SMA.
ESF and USV are particularly useful for surface texture feedback in their ability to increase friction as a fingertip is moved along a touchscreen, providing scope for a new kind of enhanced haptics experience that isn't yet common.
To find out more about this IDTechEx report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Haptics.
For the full portfolio of sensors, haptics and displays market research available from IDTechEx, please see www.IDTechEx.com/Research/Sensors.
