Web Haptics API

[liminzhu]

Introduction

Modern operating systems have embraced haptics as a core part of user experience — providing subtle, low-latency tactile cues that reinforce visual and auditory feedback. These signals improve confidence, precision, and delight in everyday interactions. The Web Haptics API proposes a semantic, cross-platform interface that connects web applications to native haptic capabilities. By focusing on intent-driven effects, the API enables web apps to deliver tactile feedback consistent with OS design principles and native experiences, while preserving and protecting user privacy and security. We have existing navigator.vibrate() API, but it is mobile-centric and lacks engine and device support. It is also coarse-grained and requires the developer to manually program the pattern which can be very confusing.

An example scenario this proposal aims to support is dragging elements/windows to a snap point. This will enable a much more engaging and satisfying experience for end users.

Read the complete Explainer.

Feedback (Choose One)

I welcome feedback in this thread, but encourage you to file bugs against the Explainer. If you are interested in the proposal but don't have meaningful, I also encourage you to comment here so that we understand the developer interest in this space.

[samuelmaddock]

The proposed API meets the perfect level of abstraction for how we would intend to use it at Slack. It would allow us to bring this behavior from only our desktop app into the web as well. I also appreciate the extensible effects parameter that's been defined. Thank you for proposing this @liminzhu!