Inspiring the Next Generation of Hardware Builders at MakeUofT 2026

For many of us working in the haptics industry today, designing tactile experiences wasn’t a career path we knew existed when we were in school. Touch was often an afterthought in product design, usually limited to a basic rumble motor. Today, that landscape has completely changed.

At the recent MakeUofT 2026, Canada’s largest hardware hackathon, we saw firsthand how the next generation of engineers is approaching product development. Over 250 students spent 24 hours building physical devices, and it was clear that advanced haptic technology is no longer just a novelty—it is becoming a core component of user experience.

The Shift in Hardware Design

Historically, integrating haptics into a prototype required significant time and specialized knowledge. Because of this friction, students and early-career developers rarely had the opportunity to experiment with high-definition tactile feedback. They often built out the visual and audio components of their projects, leaving the sense of touch behind.

Now, accessible tools are changing how we teach and learn hardware design. Students have the opportunity to play with advanced haptics early on in their education. By interacting with wideband actuators and open frameworks, they learn to treat touch as a primary method of communication, alongside screens and speakers. This early exposure shapes how they will design the consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive interfaces of tomorrow.

Equipping Builders for the Future

During the MakeUofT event, we hosted a workshop to introduce students to the fundamentals of haptic integration. We also provided teams with our  TITAN Core Development Kits to use in their 24-hour builds. The event themes, Valentine’s Day, Audio/Music, and Survival, offered a perfect testing ground for tactile applications.

When you remove the traditional barriers to hardware integration, the focus shifts entirely to creativity. We saw students immediately understand the value of haptics, brainstorming ways to translate data into physical sensations. Some incredible examples from the weekend included:

• Project Resonance: A fully offline wrist-worn fall detector that fuses biometric data with motion sensors, triggering haptic alerts to caregivers when a critical fall occurs. (Devpost)
• The Buzz Kill:  An all-girls team built a non-visual perimeter guard for camping. Using our LMR Drake LF actuator, the system detects seismic activity and alerts a sleeping camper via subtle, private haptic pulses rather than a loud alarm. (Devpost)
• SenseBelt:  A wearable tool designed for the visually impaired that uses a depth camera and LMR Drake haptic motors around the waist to provide directional feedback and prevent collisions. (Devpost)

What This Means for Product Integrators

While these projects were built by students over a weekend, they highlight a critical takeaway for product managers and engineering teams at startups and enterprise companies. Integrating high-definition haptics no longer requires a massive R&D cycle.

If a student team can successfully fuse biometric data, motion sensors, and haptic feedback into a functional prototype in just 24 hours, professional engineering teams can drastically accelerate their own speed to market. By utilizing tools like the  TITAN Core Development Kit and standardized firmware like Vector Haptics, companies can skip the friction of custom driver development and immediately start testing how tactile feedback enhances their user experience.

Getting advanced technology into the hands of students is an investment in the future of the industry. As the haptics industry continues to grow, we need engineers and designers who intuitively understand how to build immersive, multi-sensory products.

At TITAN Haptics, we are committed to providing the resources and engineering support developers need to integrate HD haptics effortlessly. The haptics industry is growing rapidly, and we are always looking for passionate, curious people to join us in shaping industry standards. If you are interested in building the future, explore our open roles or browse our available development kits and motor samples to start prototyping your next project.

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