Sony Working on PlayStation Controller With Unique Feature of heating and cooling

IbizaPocholo

NeoGAFs Kent Brockman

A recent patent publication has revealed an in-development controller design by Sony, which features heating and cooling transfer pads embedded within a DualSense controller to warm or cool a player's hands for improved comfort when gaming. This technology joins a growing lineup of patents from Sony that have focused on new innovations for existing controller designs, revealing an intriguing pattern within the Japanese conglomerate's research and development efforts.

One of the biggest names in gaming and technology, Sony is perhaps best known for its PlayStation consoles and controllers, which have evolved over the years to feature advanced hardware capabilities. Taking a closer look at one of Sony's recent patent filings, it seems the company has once again been hard at work on finding new ways to further develop its hardware offerings.
https://gamerant.com/sony-patent-ps5-controller-braille-output/

Sony Wants to Use the PS5 Controller to Output Braille

A recently published Sony patent reveals development on a controller integration that would output braille, increasing accessibility for players.


According to a patent filed in August 2024 and published on March 6, 2025, Sony is working on a new controller that would feature heating and cooling technology. The patent details a "heat transfer module" with separate heating and cooling regions located within the handles of a controller. This heat transfer module would be able to warm up or cool down a player's hands, ensuring they are able to comfortably grip the controller without stiffness from cold hands or sweat build-up from warm hands. The patent further details how the module could sense a difference in heat at various contact points, such as cold fingers but sweaty palms, and adjust each region accordingly. Similar to other Sony gaming technology patents, this heat transfer controller is very promising, but there is no guarantee that it will be fully developed and released to the public.


Sony Heat-Transfer Module Controller Patent Details​


  • sony-heat-transfer-module-controller-patent-fig-0
  • sony-heat-transfer-module-controller-patent-fig-1a-1b
  • sony-heat-transfer-module-controller-patent-fig-2


  • sony-heat-transfer-module-controller-patent-fig-0
  • sony-heat-transfer-module-controller-patent-fig-1a-1b
  • sony-heat-transfer-module-controller-patent-fig-2

While the Sony heat transfer module controller patent mostly describes internal hardware, it does mention the possibility of alternate products and even an external module. Some of the additional hardware options include a standalone joystick, a steering wheel, a yoke, and a remote, in addition to the standard controller. The external module iteration could open up the potential for an add-on accessory that would be compatible with existing Sony PlayStation DualSense controllers, rather than an entirely new line of products, though this possibility is not explored in depth within the filing. Whether this heat transfer module and controller will ever be finalized remains to be seen, but it does give fans an idea of the potential evolutions awaiting gaming controllers.

 
Last edited:

Mr Reasonable

Completely Unreasonable
"We hear you, playstation users. We know stick drift and battery life are big problems. But unfortunately we sell a lot of controllers because of those features.

So, here's a weird temperature thing that'll be used by one weird Kojima game and our new first party game, which will not be possible on other controllers or systems*: Fire and Ice, a weird platformer about forbidden love between two tribes, or something like that anyway. The characters don't look explicitly male or female so people will be crying about it being woke as soon as the video drops so eh, I don't know why we're bothering.


*PS4, Switch and PC versions release November 2025"
 

mathello

Member
I can't say im really looking forward to my controller getting hot for a second just because my enemy has like a laser weapon, or colder because the level is in a frozen stage. Rumble does most of the work. Or the character just saying its cold. I don't see any extra immersion just different.
 

chilichote

Member
Cooling could be useful, but I've been without it for the last 30 years^^

Hall Effect-Sticks, though... would be really great, Sony!
 

Kadve

Member
A recent patent publication

Should tell one everything though. Companies like Sony patent weird stuff all the time that they never actually intend to bring to market.

 

SweetTooth

Gold Member
Im really thankful that none of you guys work at Sony otherwise we would be stuck at Mode 7 in 2025 with your backward mentally lol

Ewww 3D?! Playstation should have scrapped the GTE and added 3 rows of colors and one parallax layer.. Im getting this vibe from these posts lol

If you guys want to be stuck in the past, you can can still buy Switch 2. Nintendo will ensure you will be 2 decades behind technologically.. I have heard it has a mouse ! LMAO
 

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
I’m surprised they haven’t put out a dual sense mini that’s better suited for kids.

The dual sense is by far the largest PlayStation branded primary controller released. Seems a good opportunity to give another option here. Especially since the dual shock 4 can’t be used on ps5 games.
 

Tams

Member
Tangential, but Sony's Reon Pocket is very nice. It uses a Peltier plate to cool or heat the nape of the neck to trick your brain into thinking you are cooler or warmer than you actually are.

It's not enough of an effect to be dangerous (if you are sensible), but enough to be of relief. It's no surprise that it came from Japan as the summers there are horrible and the winters can feel pretty cold, all due to the high humidity.
 

cormack12

Gold Member
Has anyone anywhere ever been playing a game and thought "I wish my hands were warmer". I live in one of the coldest cities in the world and I've never wished my hand was warmer while playing a game lol.
I know. Who tf needs this.

I just put my hands and controller down my pants and play like that. LoS was so 80s
 

GrayDock

Member
God of War:
Pick the axe, controller gets cold.
Pick the blades, controller gets hot.
Get to the boss - please reconnect the controller...
Joke aside, with a better/bigger battery, it can be useful.
 
Top Bottom