Diver-X Launches New Kickstarter for VR Haptic Gloves

Japan-based start-up Diver-X, known for launching ambitious VR headsets earlier this year, is back with a VR glove that contains a membrane that bends and compresses to recreate the feel of touch. The original HalfDive headset campaign on Kickstarter managed to raise enough money to be deemed fully funded in January 2022, though the team decided to cancel the campaign and return funds to backers. In the end, a Sword Art Online-inspired headset that lets you play while lying down was deemed too niche to ship on such a small scale. We love such tech solutions and we can't wait to use them together with our premium VR porn videos – and that's why today we'll tell you a little bit more about these haptic gloves.

The startup is back with yet another Kickstarter – the one that is said to have broader appeal. Not only does ContactGlove track each finger and includes the SteamVR Tracking Mount for positional tracking, but it also emulates keystrokes so you don't have to pick up a controller while gaming or interacting with VR sex experiences. Finally, its "pro" feature on the higher-end model offers tactile feedback, thanks to a flexible membrane that contracts and expands to replicate the feel of a user's fingertip.

Tokyo-based Diver-X says its VR glove controllers are natively compatible with Steam VR, offering mounting adapters for Tundra trackers and Vive trackers. The key entry is a simulated affair, as you have to assign individual keys to gestures via configuration software – eg. by bending your right index finger to pull the trigger. Therefore, it is up to the user whether and under what circumstances this feature is useful.

Below is the ContactGlove Kickstarter promotion. NOTE: The magnetically attached controller with the joystick and buttons in the video is not a feature listed in the Kickstarter campaign:

The Kickstarter is already live, and it seems to be creating a buzz among backers eager to snap up the company's VR gloves. At the time of writing, the project has surpassed its initial funding goal by 26 million yen (approximately $200,000), bringing total funding to more than 29 million yen (approximately $220,000). The company offers ContactGloves starting at ¥65,000 (about $490), models without the flexible touch membrane starting at ¥94,000 (about $710), and non-tactile models with Tundra trackers. A quick look at the specs, courtesy of Diver-X: