This paper details development plans for the HaptiCoupler system as part of the Pro2 Network+ Device Prototyping Summer School.

I will post more about the summer school soon - it was a great and informative week in Lancaster!

My project was selected as one of the prize winners - receiving a financial contribution towards the continued development of the project into a product!

Abstract:

The HaptiCoupler system enables simultaneous tactile sensing and vibrotactile haptic actuation using a single voice coil transducer. Designed for interaction with synthesisers, this enables sensing of gestures such as taps and hits, alongside sensing the continuous pressing on the surface of the voice coil, while feeling the audio output of the synthesiser on the fingertip. The system has the potential to bring more realism to digital synthesisers, through its audio-rate sensing and haptic feedback, while also creating opportunities for novel synthesis and music creation techniques.

Recommended citation: Davison, Matthew. ‘Development of Open-Source Hardware for Digital Musical Instrument Design’. Pro2 Network+ Device Prototyping Summer School (Lancaster, UK), July 2026.