Proposal

HaptiDrum Design: Haptic Drumming Gloves

Core Hardware Components

Haptic Drumming Gloves

• Glove Design:

  • Lightweight, breathable fabric (nylon/spandex blend)

  • Fingerless design for maximum dexterity and tactile sensation

  • Reinforced palm and fingertips for durability during percussion

  • Adjustable wrist strap for secure fit during active movement

  • Available in multiple sizes with stretch material for universal fit

• IMU Integration:

  • 9-axis IMU sensor (BNO085) mounted on back of hand and feet

  • Sample rate of 200Hz+ for precise tracking of rapid hand movements

  • Motion processing algorithm optimized for percussion gestures

• Haptic Feedback System:

  • Wrist-mounted eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motor for powerful feedback

  • Secondary linear resonant actuators (LRAs) in palm and fingertips for nuanced feedback

  • Variable intensity based on virtual drum surface and strike velocity

  • Customizable feedback patterns for different percussion elements

• Electronics Housing:

  • Compact housing on wrist containing:

    • Main processor board (ARM Cortex-M4F or similar)

    • Bluetooth module

    • Battery

    • Haptic motor driver

  • Low-profile design to avoid interference with movement

  • Sweat and impact resistant enclosure (IP65 rating)

• Connectivity:

  • Bluetooth 5.2 with LE Audio

  • Ultra-low latency wireless protocol (<10ms)

  • Pairing button and status LED

• Power System:

  • 400-600mAh LiPo battery

  • 8+ hours of continuous use

  • Magnetic charging connector

  • Quick charge capability

Feedback Calibration System

• Haptic Profiles:

  • Different vibration patterns for various drum types:

    • Sharp, intense feedback for snare hits

    • Deeper, resonant feedback for tom/bass drum

    • Crisp, short feedback for hi-hat/cymbals

  • Adjustable intensity to match player preference

  • Haptic delay calibration to synchronize with audio

• Gesture Recognition:

  • Machine learning algorithm to recognize different hand positions and gestures

  • Distinction between different strike types (open hand, finger tips, etc.)

  • Velocity sensing for dynamic expression

  • Gesture training mode for personalized technique recognition

Supporting Components

• Optional Foot Controllers:

  • Simple floor sensors for kick drum and hi-hat control

  • Also using IMU technology for natural foot movement tracking

  • Wireless connection to same app ecosystem

• Carrying Case:

  • Ventilated section for gloves to dry after use

  • Integrated charging solution

  • Compact design for portability

Software Experience Updates

• Virtual Drum Mapping:

  • Air drumming mode with spatial tracking

  • Surface drumming mode for playing on any available surface

  • Visual guidance system showing hand position in virtual space

  • Calibration wizard for custom playing zones

• Training Features:

  • Hand position guides for proper technique

  • Progressive exercises designed specifically for glove-based drumming

  • Visual feedback showing strike accuracy and timing

This revised concept transforms HaptiDrum from a drumstick-based system to a more immersive glove-based experience, leveraging haptic feedback at the wrist to create realistic percussion sensations. The design eliminates the need to hold physical objects while playing, potentially offering greater freedom of movement and expressiveness.