Seattle startup, HaptX, says Meta's VR glove prototype is 'substantively identical' to its patented technology.

Meta has stated that it intends to add a touch to the virtual world through the use of touch gloves developed by its Reality Labs Research.

However, the news comes a bit late compared to the Seattle startup that claims to have pioneered the technology since 2012.

HaptX has been working on haptic gloves that employ microfluidic feedback technology, aiming to help enterprise customers working in virtual reality and robotics. In a statement to the GeekWire, HaptX founder and CEO Jake Rubin says that Meta's gloves "appear to be substantially identical to HaptX's patented technology."

According to Rubin, the components of the Meta prototype are very identical to those used by HaptX, including a silicon-based tactile feedback laminate and the pneumatic control.

HaptX welcomes "the interest and competition in the field of microfluidic haptics; however, competition must be fair for the industry to thrive."

Rubin further added that he has not had any contact from Meta, but that HaptX "looked forward to working with them to reach a fair and equitable agreement that addresses our concerns and allows them to incorporate our innovative technology into their future consumer products."