Background
Founded in 2001 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Force Dimension has been the leading innovator in high precision haptics technology. The company has gained international reputation for developing and manufacturing its distinctive design and advanced force-feedback interfaces for robotics, industry, aerospace, medical and consumer electronics applications.
As a product design company, Force Dimension also licenses and develops customized robotic and VR solutions for a wide range of application areas. Over the years, Force Dimension has also closely collaborated with academic institutions such as EPFL and Stanford University, as well and design schools which include ECAL and the Swiss Design Center.
Timeline
Nov 2021
International Space Station (ISS)
Astronauts Thomas Pesquet (ESA) and Megan MacArthur (NASA) use the sigma.7 aboard ISS as part of the PILOTE experiment which recreates the feeling of pressure and touch when tele-operating a robotic arm. The sigma.7 celebrates two years in space after travelling more than 10’000 revolutions around the earth covering 420 million kilometers.
Nov 2021
Aug 2020
Consumer Entertainment
Nov 2019
International Space Station (ISS)
In collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), Force Dimension certifies the sigma.7 haptic device for space and launches the device to the International Space Station (ISS). For the first time ever, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano successfully teleoperates a robot manipulator located on earth with 3D force-feedback interface.
Nov 2019
Jun 2018
Art of Watchmaking
In collaboration with Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, Force Dimension introduces ChronoSim, the first haptic simulator for watch designers.
Sep 2017
Lambda Haptic Device
Titan Medical introduces the SPORT System which integrates Force Dimension's latest lambda haptic devices.
Sep 2017
Apr 2016
OceanOne
Force Dimension provides the haptic devices for OceanOne, an underwater robot developped by Stanford University and Google, and powered by artificial intelligence and haptic feedback systems. The system allows archaeologists an unprecedented ability to explore the depths of the oceans in high fidelity.
Nov 2014
Hansen Medical
Force Dimension’s medical haptic devices cumulate a total of more than 15,000 clinical cases of surgeons using the devices for surgical interventions.
Nov 2014
Mar 2013
Haptics and Industrial Robotics
Vulcan Engineering introduces the VTS, a large industrial robot that is operated manually with an omega.3 haptic device for cutoff and grinding operations.
Jul 2015
Medical Robotics
Medrobotics receives CE and FDA clearance for the Flex® Robotic System for ENT applications. The surgical system incorporates Force Dimension's omega.3 haptic device.
Jul 2015
Jun 2012
Medical Simulation
Force Dimension develops and manufactures the first ScanTrainer TAS for Medaphor.
Mar 2012
Sigma.7 Haptic Console
Force Dimension releases the sigma.7 console, a bimanual interface designed for robotics manipulation.
Mar 2012
Nov 2011
Medical Robotics
Magnetecs incorporates the omega.3 haptic device in its robotic Catheter Guidance Control and Imaging (CGCI) system for minimally invasive surgery.
Jan 2013
NeuroArm
IMRIS and the University of Calgary perform the first human clinical trials of the NeuroArm, an MRI compatible robot for brain surgery that is operated by two omega.7 haptic devices.
Jan 2013
Jan 2009
Delta.3 Haptic Device
Force Dimension launches a redesigned version of the delta.3 haptic devices.
Aug 2008
Hansen Medical
The Hansen Medical Sensei® Robotic System which incorporates Force Dimension’s medical omega.3 haptic device receives FDA clearance and CE mark. The first systems are shipped.
Aug 2008
Sep 2007
First Flights in Microgravity
In collaboration with SRI International and NASA, Force Dimension performs first experimental tests of omega.7 haptic devices in microgravity aboard a C9 aircraft.
Jun 2007
Novint Falcon
Force Dimension licenses its haptic technology to Novint Technologies. Launch of the world first 3D consumer haptic device designed for the entertainment market.
Jun 2007
Mar 2007
Omega.7 Haptic Device
Force Dimension introduces the omega.7 haptic device, the first commercial 7-dof haptic device with grasping force-feedback technology.
May 2010
Sigma.7 Haptic Device
Force Dimension introduces the sigma.7 haptic device, the first commercial haptic device to incorporate high forces, torques and grasping capabilities. The device is integrated in the MIRO surgical robot system designed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
May 2010
Jan 2005
Sales Network
Force Dimension expands its sales activities to Japan, Korea and China.
Aug 2006
FDA Certification
Force Dimension releases its first medically certified haptic interface. The system is integrated in the Sensei robotic system developed and commercialized by Hansen Medical.
Aug 2006
Mar 2004
Omega.6 Haptic Device
Force Dimension releases the omega.6 haptic device with a stylus like end-effector.
Mar 2003
Omega.3 Haptic Device
Force Dimension launches the award-winning omega.3 haptic device, the world’s first haptic interface to incorporate USB 2.0 technology.
Mar 2003
Apr 2002
Delta.6 Haptic Device
Force Dimension introduces the delta.6 haptic device, a novel interface that incorporates both force and torque feedback capabilities.
Aug 2001
Delta.3 Haptic Device
Force Dimension launches its first product, the delta.3 haptic device.
Aug 2001