Background
Founded in 2001 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Force Dimension has established itself as a global leader in high-precision haptics technology. Renowned for its distinctive designs and advanced force-feedback interfaces, the company has revolutionized applications in robotics, aerospace, medical systems, industrial automation, and consumer electronics.
In addition to designing and manufacturing cutting-edge haptic devices, Force Dimension licenses and develops customized robotic and virtual reality (VR) solutions tailored to diverse industry needs. The company has collaborated with leading institutions such as EPFL,Stanford University, and the European Space Agency (ESA), as well as renowned design schools like ECAL and the Swiss Design Center. These partnerships have fostered innovation, blending technological expertise with creative design to push the boundaries of what haptics and robotics can achieve.
Timeline
Jun 2024
Precision Grasping for Watchmaking
Force Dimension unveils its first force-feedback robot grasping end-effector which coupled with its haptic devices offers high-fidelity haptic feedback operating at 4000 Hz. The system is demonstrated for the assembly and manipulation of fine mechanical components for watchmaking.
Jun 2024
May 2023
Art of Watchmaking
Nov 2022
Art of Watchmaking
In collaboration with Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, Force Dimension introduces ChronoTouch at the SSC (Société Suisse de Chronométrie), the first force-controlled device for testing watches and identifying their mechanical characteristics.
Nov 2022
Apr 2022
Haptic Workstation
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 teleoperating 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 use in space. On November 2nd, the haptic device is launched to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Cygnus NG-12 spacecraft. Later that month, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano makes history by successfully teleoperating, for the first time from space, a robot rover and manipulator located on earth using 3D force-feedback.
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
Underwater Exploration
Force Dimension delivers sigma.7 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.
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
Nov 2014
Medical Robotics
Force Dimension’s medical haptic devices cumulate a total of 15,000 surgical operations.
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.
Mar 2013
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.
Jun 2012
Medical Simulation
Force Dimension develops and manufactures the first ScanTrainer TAS for Medaphor.
Jun 2012
Mar 2012
Sigma.7 Haptic Console
Force Dimension releases the sigma.7 console, a bimanual interface designed for robotics manipulation.
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.
Nov 2011
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).
Jan 2009
Delta.3 Haptic Device
Force Dimension launches a redesigned version of the delta.3 haptic devices.
Jan 2009
Aug 2008
Medical Robotics
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.
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.
Sep 2007
Jun 2007
Novint Falcon
Force Dimension develops and licenses the Falcon haptic device to Novint Technologies. The Falcon is the world’s first 3D consumer haptic device designed for the entertainment market. Manufactured in China, the device is commercialized in North America for less than 250 USD. The Falcon haptic device receives the R&D 100 Award and CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award.
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.
Mar 2007
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.
Jan 2005
Sales Network
Force Dimension expands its sales activities to Japan, South Korea and China.
Jan 2005
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