The world of video games is currently experiencing a silent revolution. Behind the screens and controllers, Interhaptics, a Lille company bought by Razer in 2022, develops technologies that revolutionize our relationship with digital touch. This French expertise is now attracting the attention of technological giants, the automobile industry and even the medical sector.
From Lille to conquer the world: the meteoric rise of Interhaptics
The story begins in 2017 in the laboratories of the University of Lille. Eric Vezzoli, then a doctoral student, imagined a technology capable of reproducing realistic tactile sensations in virtual environments. Its innovation quickly attracted professionals. But it is in 2021 that everything accelerates: MPEG, an international standardization organization, chooses Interhaptics technology as the future standard for haptic feedback.
This recognition attracts envy. Microsoft and two other technology giants are trying their luck to acquire the Lille gem. It is finally Razer, which wins the bid in 2022, is seduced by the unique expertise of Interhaptics and its vision of the future of human-machine interaction. An acquisition that allows the start-up to maintain its independence while benefiting from the resources of a world leader.
A technology that revolutionizes the way we understand objects
The numbers speak for themselves: 40,000 developers already use the Interhaptics SDK, compatible with more than 5 billion devices. The technology integrates natively into major game engines like Unreal Engine 5.5 and GameMaker. On PlayStation 5 and its DualSense, Interhaptics reigns supreme with the most used haptic plugin on the platform.
But the ambition goes well beyond gaming. Applications extend to the automotive sector with “drive by wire”, to precision surgery, and even to our smartphones. The secret? An approach focused on tactile perception, the fastest human sense to react to stimuli.
Interhaptics technology transforms simple vibrations into complex and realistic sensations, thanks to the simultaneous management of three different frequencies in what is commonly called “Full HD vibrations”
Innovation at the service of user experience
The first fruits of the collaboration between Razer and Interhaptics are already impressive. Only two years after the purchase, the Razer Freyja, a haptic cushion that we tested here, is already revolutionizing immersion in video games without forcing the user to wear a bulky suit. The Kraken V4 Pro and the Kishi Ultra also incorporate this technology, proving that innovation can rhyme with practicality.
The Lille team does not stop there. She now oversees the development of Chroma, Razer’s iconic RGB technology featured in more than 300 games. Developers can even outsource the design of haptic feedback to Interhaptics, ensuring optimal integration that respects artistic intentions. Other products are obviously in development with an arrival very soon.
With 250 million Razer Synapse users and a presence in more than 50 countries, Interhaptics’ technology is poised to reach a global audience. A success which demonstrates that French excellence in innovation can attract world leaders while retaining its local roots.
