While extended reality (XR) headsets are already making a significant impact in the workplace, wearable haptics are poised to take enterprise immersion to the next level. From training and collaboration to remote operations and design, haptic wearables are bringing the sense of touch into digital spaces—offering companies a more tactile, intuitive way to engage with virtual environments.

And it goes far beyond VR gloves. Startups and established tech players alike are experimenting with everything from haptic vests and full-body suits to rings, wristbands, and even chairs. These technologies aim to make digital interactions feel physical, opening up new frontiers for productivity, accessibility, and safety in enterprise settings.

Why Haptics Matter in the Workplace

XR solutions already offer immersive visual and auditory experiences, helping teams communicate more effectively and reduce real-world costs. But when paired with haptic feedback, these solutions become dramatically more realistic. By introducing touch, businesses can boost engagement, reinforce learning, and enable hands-on collaboration—without physical risk or logistical limitations.

Take the WEART TouchDIVER Pro glove, which simulates force, texture, and even temperature, or the bHaptics Tactsuit, a full-body system used in training simulations to replicate physical sensations. These devices represent a growing ecosystem of haptic tools designed for real-world utility.

Key Benefits of Wearable Haptics in Enterprise

1. More Immersive and Accessible User Experiences

Tactile feedback makes virtual experiences feel tangible. Imagine drawing on a virtual whiteboard and feeling the pressure of the pen, or using a haptic mouse that mimics texture, weight, and resistance when manipulating 3D models. Companies like Haply Robotics are developing precisely that kind of input device.

Incorporating haptics also promotes accessibility—users with visual impairments, for instance, can navigate XR environments via vibration cues, making enterprise tools more inclusive.

2. More Effective Learning and Skills Training

Studies consistently show XR training outperforms traditional methods in knowledge retention and skill acquisition. Haptics enhance this by replicating the feel of real-world tasks—whether it’s holding a surgical tool or navigating an emergency scenario. In fact, research from the National Library of Medicine found that adding haptic feedback improved trainee performance in VR-based bone drilling exercises.

3. Enhanced Safety for Workers

Haptic wearables can also act as safety tools. In industrial settings, suits or wristbands can alert workers when they’re near hazards, detect temperature changes, or signal when a colleague is in distress. Combined with biometric data and XR overlays, they enable real-time risk monitoring.

These insights, especially when integrated with smart glasses like Meta’s Orion prototype, could dramatically reduce workplace accidents and improve response times.

4. Smarter, More Immersive Collaboration

While collaboration may not be the most obvious application, haptics have the potential to revolutionize virtual teamwork. Imagine sharing a prototype in VR and feeling its weight transfer from your hand to a colleague’s. Or shaking hands with a new client through a pair of haptic gloves. These subtle interactions deepen presence and connection.

Industries like automotive and manufacturing are already exploring co-design environments where teams can physically interact with 3D components in real time.

5. Remote Control of Complex Tasks

Haptic wearables also unlock new possibilities for remote work—especially in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments. For example, a technician could operate a robotic arm thousands of miles away using haptic gloves that provide real-time physical feedback.

AMI Lab and WEART are currently collaborating on such a system, enabling operators to “feel” and manipulate objects through robotic surrogates. The Dutch military has even used similar systems to train personnel on satellite assembly in VR environments.

The Road Ahead

Wearable haptics are still in the early stages of adoption, but the enterprise potential is clear. As costs drop and device compatibility improves, more businesses are expected to experiment with gloves, vests, and rings that enable richer XR interactions.

The vision: employees suited up with haptic gear that enhances productivity, improves safety, and brings human intuition back into digital workflows.