A new Sony patent shows a controller that can change temperature
The design could theoretically make players’ hands warmer or cooler at certain points in a game
A new Sony patent application has been published for a controller that can change temperature during gameplay.
As initially spotted by Exputer, the patent – which is simply named ‘Controller’ – could be partly made of a softer material rather than hard plastic.
This material could be “elastically deformable”, such as a silicone gel-based material, and would be connected to a circuit that processes information.
According to Sony, by making part of the controller out of this elastic material instead of hard plastic, it could make the controller “capable of enriching haptic experiences”.
It also, however, states that “a temperature control apparatus such as a Peltier element capable of electrically changing temperature may be provided on the front surface of, or inside the elastic member”.
This would essentially meant that if a player comes across a hot or cold area in a game, the controller could receive an electrical signal that adjusts the temperature of the material.
Theoretically, this could mean that if players enter a volcano or a snowy area in a game, the controller may be able to heat up or cool down accordingly.
It should be noted that, as with every patent application (and even those which are granted), just because Sony has been working on this idea it’s not a confirmation that a future PlayStation system will have a controller that gets hot or cold depending on what’s happening in a game.
In 2020 another Sony patent was spotted for a controller that would gather biofeedback from a player’s hands, such as their sweat secretion and heart rate, and change games accordingly.
