The OpenForce Project

What is force feedback?

Most people are familiar with the term haptic feedback - when an object communicates information to a user via the sense of touch - for example when mobile phones or game controllers vibrate.

3D force feedback devices are a unique kind of haptic feedback devices. They use a specially designed robot to 'render' forces - to physically push back at a user. By controlling these robots accurately, its possible to replicate the sensations experienced when handling real world objects - we can fool our sense of touch into feeling that programs / simulated objects are solid. Its really hard to describe how weirdly realistic they are if you've never tried one for yourself!

Unfortunately, realatively few people have ever tried 3D force feedback systems - they are usually ultra-high end, bespoke-built robots only used in specific applications such as teleoperation (e.g. handling hazardous material), robotic surgery, or medical simulators. We started Openforce to fix this - to create force feedback systems accessible to everyone!

We think there could be hundreds more interesting use cases for this technology, and want the OpenForce project to be a community aimed at supporting innovators to explore all of them!

9D Stylus LibreOne: Your own open-source force feedback device!

LibreOne is the first open-source force feedback device in the OpenForce project. With build costs starting as low as £300 per device, it is a platform intended for anyone interested in haptic feedback, VR or robotics!

Following the OpenForce design principles, LibreOne is a 6D tracking + 3D force feedback device that you can build, customise, and hack at home. When designing LibreOne, we used off-the-shelf parts wherever possible and 3D-printable designs wherever not, meaning it is cheap and easy to construct your own device!

Liscenced under the GNU General Public License v3.0, LibreOne's hardware, firmware and software is fully customisable and hackable. You can self-source your own parts from the build guide, or check out our kits to get started! Please note that our electronics design files are provided under a separate non-commercial license.

The Specs:

• 6D sub-milimetre position tracking

• 3D force feedback (upto 0.5Kg of force!)

• USBC power supply

• Powerful integrated STM32 processor

• Multiple mounting options (suction pad or desk clamp)

• Maximum Stiffness 1000N/cm (construction & mounting dependant)

Getting started with LibreOne:

The best option for individuals or organisations who want a reliable and dependable device, quickly.

Ready to run out of the box, our pre-built LibreOne's come with high quality components and 3D prints and are the easiest way to start experimenting with force feedback!

A great option for those who want to learn a bit about the hardware while saving some costs!

Our full kit includes all the high-quality parts you need to assemble you own LibreOne device.

For those who have access to a 3D printer, and want to customise their LibreOne!

the mechanical kit includes all the electronics, motors, and fastenings you need, but you must 3D print your own parts!

For those on a budget or who want to experiment with hardware modifications.

This kit includes the pre-programmed motherboard, stylus module, three encoders and cabling. You must source everything else yourself

Our Libre One Kits - The easiest way to get started:

Pre-built Kit

Full Kit

Mechanical Kit

Electronics Only

What is OpenForce?

The OpenForce project was launched to develop open-source force feedback devices, aiming to democratize this unique haptic technology and empower more people to experiment with and innovate in the field!

At Senmag Robotics, we have been developing force feedback systems for several years and understand the power of haptics. Our larger, more powerful 9D Stylus DK1 devices are making VR experiences more accurate, realistic and efficient by transforming the virtual to tangible. Inspired by other open-source projects such as Prusa and Voron, we are starting OpenForce to provide a more accessible, hackable platform to support open collaboration!

We want to create a community of innovators. If you have ever wanted to experiment with force feedback, haptics, robotics in general, or just want to have the fun of building your own robot arm, OpenForce is the place for you!

The OpenForce Principles:

Hackable:

We want OpenForce to be a platform that truly democratises force feedback technology, that encourages and fosters community experimentation and development.

Accessible:

From children to VR enthusiasts to haptic experts, we want to make force feedback technology available to all, regardless of their background / knowledge.

Capable:

While force feedback devices are awesome, we’re not just building them as toys. Force feedback technology has the potential to solve numerous real-world problems, and so OpenForce designs should be both practical and fun!