Sony patents adaptive buttons for PlayStation controller

Sony has patented a new type of PlayStation controller featuring buttons that can dynamically change their hardness and resistance in response to gameplay, according to a recently published patent. The technology, which could enhance immersion and accessibility, was detailed in a patent application initially filed in November 2024 and published by the World Intellectual Property Organization in May 2026.

The patent describes buttons made from a smart composite material, such as a magnetoviscoelastic elastomer, which softens or hardens based on the strength of a magnetic field controlled by the game system. An alternative design using fluid-filled membranes is also proposed. This would allow the controller to alter the tactile feel of its buttons in real time, similar to the adaptive trigger functionality found on the current PS5 DualSense controller.

Potential applications outlined in the patent include softening buttons to simulate wading through a swamp or molding to a player's finger shape for comfort, and hardening them to mimic climbing a rocky surface or the jamming of a weapon. A notable concept described is a "finger grab" effect, where a button would soften to let a...