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Three new Wii U demo booths and floor displays have been revealed. Two of them are simply called "Action" (being run by Tecmo Koei, it's most likelyNinja Gaiden 3), Racing by Maximum Family Games LLC (no idea, most likely not very interesting), and one more truly surprising one - a "Peripherals" section provided by ViviTouch. For those who are unaware, ViviTouch does one thing and one thing only, and they're the leaders in their field - provide haptic screen technology. To refresh anyone's memory, haptic screen technology is the tech that actually allows you to feel the screen as different textures (like fur or metal), and it was heavily rumored to be a part of Nintendo's then unknown new system all through spring of last year - and unless Vivitouch has randomly decided to completely change its mission statement and product line, the Wii U is getting some haptic action. 

Haptic technology is a very complicated thing to master, but it's considered to be unbelievably immersive. ViviTouch's lineup has won numerous awards for its stunning technology shown at various events such as CES, and has been met with some seriously great reactions. This kind of technology could be a surprisingly big boon for Nintendo - I can only imagine what they could do with adding the sense of touch onto sight and sound (as already mentioned, Nintendogs would be a completely new experience). Haptic tech could be the miracle reveal at E3 that completely shifts perception of the Wii U to universal praise. The ability to not only see and hear the game world but actually feel it sounds just like something that Nintendo would embrace, and would be a natural step forward in their continuing line of new game experiences. 

Of course, there's quite a downside to haptic technology - the cost. A single outer shell for a gaming phone that only adds some outside haptic feedback (as opposed to the phone being built around it) costs approximately $90.00 USD. The price for actually building a more advanced haptic system into a screen to begin with would be much higher. 

Due to the fact that ViviTouch is working with "peripherals" rather than the full system would heavily imply that they're making a similar "haptic screen shell" for the Wii U that they already do for phones as a separate item from the system with its own price tag. Unfortunately, this will limit the amount of people who get to experience the technology, and thus Nintendo will probably avoid making games that utilize it to real effect. But even so - we're still getting haptic technology either way, it just might not be as revolutionary as it could be. 

So, whether or not those old rumors were based in actual fact or not, we now know haptic tech will be on the Wii U. How would you like to see it used in games? Make sure to comment away! 

I sense EXPENSIVE controllers

This could actually be implemented in the WiiU tablet. It would explain the recent rumors Nintendo is scaling back the hardware capabilities now rumored to be inferior to 360. They have a target retail price of 250 dollars likely. I could see them cutting costs on graphical power to include this technology in the tablet controller instead. I do not believe that would be a smart idea, Nintendo needs a system 2.5x the power to win next generation like they did this generation. If the system is any weaker then 2.5x the power then Nintendo needs the biggest innovation they have ever had. They need something so stunning hardcore gamers will buy the system over or alongside NextBox and PS4 and casual gamers will choose it over 360 w/Kinect or NextBox with Kinect 2.0 and tablet controller and Sony's PS4 might have something to offer casuals as well. Nintendo needs far more then a screen that emulates touch. It may be an amazing ground breaking feature but it will not be enough for WiiU to be any less powerful then 2.5x the 360!

Sounds plausible, so long as it can actually be used on the cheap, and effectively.

Eh, all "haptic" implies is that it'll be some sort of immersive tech. The Rumble Pak was a form of haptic feedback, as has been every other type of controller vibration.

So, just keep your pants on.

but its expensive dude, that can means 2 things :

or it will be very expensive
or it will be very weak in hardware

Oh it is this rumor again. It poped up when all the Project Cafe rumors began. I think the rumor was they were going to use a surface on the back side of the controller that would simulate different surfaces. I will look for the link...

There where a few links here is one of them it stems from a Toshiba touch screen technology that allows for surface emulation on the touch screen.

http://www.ripten.com/2011/05/02/project-cafe-wii-2-to-be-call-nintendo-feel-justin6464/

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=27551077&postcount=7659 (The above link is from this neogaf rumor.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXITjLurof0&feature=plcp&context=C4e8f77fVDvjVQa1PpcFN8Xftwc9U45qPG4A-AqHphk_B2vEra16k%3D (Toshiba's new surface feed back. They are the ones that supplied the glasses free tech for the 3DS, it can also be used on the back of the controller as well.)

So it is possible, as for the being expensive well the tech has been around for over a year. It's a nice rumor, but we will not know anything concrete until the end of May/begining of June. (Nintendo's end of year investor meeting/E3)

I highly doubt that they'd install an entire "Peripherals" section just for some rumble features.

This will be big.

Well that is the tech that was featured in the orginal rumor. And it was one of the more interesting (at least for me) early rumors. And since it at it gross basic level just another layer of touch screen added to the top of the touch screen itself it "shouldn't" be that much more. (instead of sensing for presure it is releasing a small static electric charge.)