Applied Technology Review: Specials Magazine

For decades, digital worlds have focused on sight and sound. They show and tell everything, but neglect the physical senses that connect us to reality. Immerz changes that by creating powerful tactile experiences, turning ordinary interactions with games, movies, music and devices into fully immersive moments. The company combines scientific rigor with an intuitive understanding of user experience, making technology that resonates with the mind and body. Users aren’t just observing. They are part of the digital story unfolding around them, experiencing each moment as if it were real. “Visual displays have reached beyond-retinal resolutions where further improvements are negligible. Haptic technology hasn’t matched that progress, and our goal is to bring touch realism to all platforms. We believe our technology will usher in a new era of mobile media immersion,” says Shahriar Afshar, founder, president and CTO. FROM DORM ROOM DISTRACTION TO DIGITAL IMMERSION The story of Immerz began in a university dormitory in 2004 with a solution to a seemingly minor problem. Video games played by students caused vibrations that traveled through the building, disturbing everyone. What could have been a simple annoyance became the spark for a new line of thinking. Afshar, a physics professor grounded in neuroscience and world-famous for his experiments in quantum mechanics at Harvard University, began exploring how vibrations could be transformed from disruptive noise into something meaningful. Early research focused on how the body perceives vibration through nerves connected to the limbic system, the center for self, emotions and behavior. Even subtle tactile signals could make users feel part of the action. The challenge was to develop technology that felt natural, precise and emotionally resonant, avoiding repetition or artificiality. In initial experiments, existing vibration units failed because they lacked texture, complexity, and proper synchronization with audio. Small buzzes could distract rather than immerse, and repetitive effects quickly lost appeal. Afshar discovered that combining sound and touch with exact timing could evoke profound emotional responses. A virtual keystroke, drumbeat, a distant footstep, or an explosion could feel real. These insights culminated in his creation of a new chapter in haptics, now called acousto-haptic technology. Every vibration, every subtle cue, every impact is timed with precision, giving users the sensation of being physically present within a scene. The technology turns touch into a core part of the experience, completing the story that began with dorm room vibrations and ended with a new way of feeling the digital world.