--- title: Meta is building VR gloves for the metaverse - The Hustle description: "Meta is spending $10B on AR/VR and metaverse hardware this year. One project: a prototype VR glove that uses inflatable pads to simulate touch." image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1263642475-News-Brief-Midroll-Images_2021-11-18T012854.387Z.webp --- # Meta is building VR gloves for the metaverse ![Trung T. Phan](https://thehustle.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image-from-iOS-300x300.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=Image-from-iOS-300x300.jpg) [Trung T. Phan](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/trung-t-phan) [Trung T. Phan Twitter profile ](https://twitter.com/TrungTPhan) Published: November 18, 2021 Updated: October 11, 2023 A few weeks ago, Mark Zuckerberg explained his vision for the metaverse and rebranded Facebook as “[Meta](https://thehustle.co/10292021-facebook-meta/).” ![Meta is building VR gloves for the metaverse](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1263642475-News-Brief-Midroll-Images_2021-11-18T012854.387Z.webp?width=595&height=400&name=1263642475-News-Brief-Midroll-Images_2021-11-18T012854.387Z.webp) As part of its pivot, Meta said it’s spending [~$10B](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/29/facebook-name-change-meta-faces-same-challenge-as-alphabet.html) this year on VR, AR, and hardware related to the metaverse. On Tuesday, the company unveiled one major project: #### **A prototype of haptic VR gloves** According to [*The Verge*](https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/16/22782860/meta-facebook-reality-labs-soft-robotics-haptic-glove-prototype), Meta is building handwear “that reproduces sensations like grasping an object or running your hand along a surface.” The glove has been in the works for 7 years and works like so: - It’s lined with ~15 inflatable plastic pads - The pads run along the palm, underside of the fingers, and fingertips - There is a camera and sensors to detect finger movement and bending Example: If you pick up a plate in the virtual world, the finger pads will inflate to create that real-life feeling. #### **The technology is called soft robotics…** … and replaces traditional haptic technology that uses “bulky motors with tiny air valves,” per *The Verge*. Even if Meta nails the tech, there are a number of challenges it faces before going mass market: - **Hand sizes **differ greatly and the glove needs to have a tight fit to be effective - **Cleaning **the glove will probably not be as easy as throwing it in the wash - **Biometrics data** collected from the glove raises potential privacy concerns #### **Another product is in the works** Meta’s Reality Labs — the unit responsible for AR/VR hardware — is also building electromyography tools to turn nerve signals in the arm into digital actions. With a reported [10m](https://uploadvr.com/meta-quest-2-10-million-oculus/) Oculus Quest 2 VR headsets already sold, Meta’s solution will set pace for the industry… just like Zuck planned when this photo was taken in 2016. ![](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/410141988-zuckerberg.webp?width=636&height=357&name=410141988-zuckerberg.webp) *(Source: *[*CNET*](https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/virtual-reality-facebook-zuckerberg-steals-mobile-world-congress-smartphones-phones-vr-oculus-gear/)* / Facebook)* Topics: [Facebook](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/tag/facebook) ## Follow us on social media prev next - ![Meta vs. Canada is a long pattern of dismantling news](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1038385209-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-newspaper_20230823220232.webp) ### Meta vs. Canada is a long pattern of dismantling news - ![Meta’s latest metamorphosis is a mixed bag](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/548836041-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-Meta_morphosis_20230717231041.webp) ### Meta’s latest metamorphosis is a mixed bag - ![We tried Threads, Meta’s Twitter competitor](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1037422333-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-threads-meta_20230706225014.webp) ### We tried Threads, Meta’s Twitter competitor - ![Why Meta’s ‘leaner is better’ feels extra contagious](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1759004967-HS-News-Brief_2023-03-15T004959.472Z.webp) ### Why Meta’s ‘leaner is better’ feels extra contagious - ![Meta looks to broaden Horizon’s horizons in 2023](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/125410848-HS-News-Brief_2023-02-08T013601.673Z.webp) ### Meta looks to broaden Horizon’s horizons in 2023 - ![Meta’s board wants new nudity guidelines](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/509999999-HS-News-Brief_2023-01-19T010328.295Z.webp) ### Meta’s board wants new nudity guidelines - ![Are Apple and Meta rivals now?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/2089517818-HS-News-Brief_2022-09-07T225917.930Z.webp) ### Are Apple and Meta rivals now? - ![Amazon vs. Facebook review groups](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1977067535-HS-News-Brief_2022-07-20T012826.772Z-scaled.webp) ### Amazon vs. Facebook review groups - ![Meta’s IRL store for the not-IRL metaverse](https://media.hubspot.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/TheHustle+HubSpot_Lockup.svg) ### Meta’s IRL store for the not-IRL metaverse - ![Meta’s sketchy strategy to battle TikTok](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1169195609-News-Brief_2022-03-31T015205.603Z.webp) ### Meta’s sketchy strategy to battle TikTok Pop up for Subscribe to The Hustle Daily Newsletter Subscribe to The Hustle Daily Newsletter Get the 5-minute news brief keeping 2.5M+ innovators in the loop. 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