New Product - Force Feedback (Haptic) Encoder

**Siezmik** · 03-20-2007, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by armstrom

Does anyone else see value in something like this?

If you could make it so that the detents are adjustable for "size" and "feel", then I think a little interface like that might be worthwhile. It might draw in more people who don't have the programming skills to write their own interface.

**armstrom** · 03-20-2007, 03:37 PM

ok. I can do that. I'll start on it when I get home and should have something by later tonight.

One thing to keep in mind is that this software will not likely work on Vista. One of the new security features in Vista prevents user processes from broadcasting system-wide mouse events. To solve this in Vista I would have to write a device driver and I really don't feel like messing with the DDK tonight. I'll keep everyone posted.

-Matt

**armstrom** · 03-20-2007, 07:13 PM

Ok, slight delay. I have a problem with my development machine. Maybe tomorrow.

**Siezmik** · 03-21-2007, 11:38 PM

Sounds good. I'm interested to see what you come up with.

**mustanglou** · 03-24-2007, 07:28 AM

Would it be possible to get this to work on a Mac? I can program, but I don't know how to write usb drivers.

**Zip-Lock** · 03-24-2007, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by mustanglou

Would it be possible to get this to work on a Mac? I can program, but I don't know how to write usb drivers.

The device uses the FTDI chip set and there are Mac drivers available from FTDI so it's very much possible on the driver level. The Haptic encoder is a TTL serial device and the FTDI chip converts that to USB. We would have to figure out a way to get you a customize version of the driver for the Mac because we don't use the standard FTDI drivers. Also, all of the documentation and example programs are for the PC.

**monzablue16v** · 04-23-2007, 04:46 PM

Looks like the input device I've been waiting for

Is there a price for shipping to the UK from the mp3car shop I don't seem to be able to select it.
Thanks

**Caelric** · 04-29-2007, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by armstrom

J
There was also some talk earlier about where to get a knob for this thing... Well, as most of who ordered them know, it seems to have come with a black plastic knob that will work well if you're not too concerned about how it looks. Since I didn't know the knob would be included, I went ahead and machined one out of aluminum. I have attached a picture of it along with the cheap radio shack enclosure I mounted the encoder and USB adapter board in for testing.

More info to come.

-Matt

That is a very sweet looking knob, and would match my interior perfectly. Any chance of machining another one and shipping it to me, for a price, of course?

**smeesseman** · 04-29-2007, 09:17 PM

Wow, good thread, glad I found it. I have been working with Haptic controllers for about 5 years now, and I am really glad to see some people out there excited about it. I am a big supporter of this technology and feel that it is SO much safer than using the touchscreen. If the controller feedback is applied correctly to the application, the driver eventually learns where he is in the app simply by the way the controller feels, it's a great concept that was pretty much killed by the terrible user interface provided by BMW in it's initial release of iDrive (I have heard that they improved later versions but I have not been fortuneate enough to try it). I hope to read some successful stories on this thread in the future for all thos DYI'rs out there.