Force Feedback

Force feedback is a simulation of a real-world physical touch while in a simulated environment such as virtual reality through the use of motorized motion or resistance. Force feedback is commonly known to be used in video game controllers such as steering wheels, pedals, and some joysticks.

Force feedback differs from haptic feedback in that haptic feedback can work as a vibration felt through the employ of small forces or ques, such as vibration. Haptic feedback is mostly experienced only through nerves in the skins surface. Force feedback is accomplished both on the scale of haptic feedback, as well as through a force that generates an effect through tthe user's muscles.

Force feedback was created in the 1950s for the CF-105 aircraft, which is the first non-experimental aircraft equipped with a fly-by-wire system. It was created and developed to simulate control pressures that are normally experienced by a pilot in an aircraft with controls that are mechanically linked to the control surfaces. The technology became known as control loading in aerospace, with the later term of force feedback becoming commonplace for other industries.