A new Sony patent has surfaced online for non-contact magnetic sensors on a controller that could potentially solve the stick-drift issues players have been facing with the DualSense.
The DualSense controller is one of the best on the market, featuring advanced technology like adaptive triggers, precise haptic feedback, and more. However, like many other mainstream controllers, it suffers from the issue of stick drift. Fortunately, it appears that Sony is working on a solution to address this drawback.
New Sony Patent Surfaces for Non-Contact Magnetic Sensors to Solve Stick Drift
Spotted by Cheat Happens, a new patent from Sony Interactive Entertainment has surfaced online, titled ‘Operating Stick Assembly and Input Device.” The patent is for an operating stick on controllers that will use a non-contact sensor, which could be magnetic, that helps detect the movement of the operating stick with “high precision even under prolonged use.”
Another mechanism is described in which the rotation of the operating stick is restricted through protrusions and grooves. This allows players to tilt the stick in any direction while limiting its rotation around the axis, which improves operability. Additionally, a spring-based return mechanism is incorporated, and support for L3/R3 is included, featuring a “downward press” operation with a sensor assembly that keeps the distance between the sensor constant.
The only thing that players don’t know is whether the patent will be applied to the next-generation PlayStation 6 controller, or, like some other patents, it may never see the light of day. Players will have to wait for an official announcement to find out.
What are your thoughts on Sony’s new patent solving the DualSense stick drift issue? Leave your thoughts down in the comments, and join the official Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Too little too late Sony.
Sony has already proven it puts profits above integrity.
To think they will release a controller that eliminates stick drift is shortsighted, imo. The company has made millions from all the controller replacements at the hands of stick drift. Why would Sony solve a problem that reduces their sales? If anything, they will increase the price and offer interchangeable part replacements for the stick drift issue. But still, I don’t even think they will do that. The drift has earned so much more profit for the company… to think they would just fix it is a bit naive.
Ps3 dualshock 3 used magnetic sensors with no stick drift
You mean they finally decided that the hardware they use is too cheap and unreliable, and that the stick drift issue is getting out of hand, so they miraculously found something new while other controllers barely have this problem in the first place? It’s called shitty marketing and getting as much money from your customers. In the PS1 and PS2 era, we never had stick drift because quality was prioritized over quantity.
I’m sure any improvements they implement to the already expensive DualSense will be deployed along side a price increase. Which feels particularly unpleasant when the whole problem feels like an issue of their own making – stick drift was never this prolific prior to PS5.
These already exist and have for a while now. They are called Hall effect and TMR sensors
Exactly. Now they want to claim to “inventing” something new. What a joke.
I fixed my stick drift by replacing the resistive analog joysticks with hall effect ones.
Maybe that is what Sony should have done in the first place.