GameSir’s New Swift Drive Controller Has a Tiny Force Feedback Wheel
▼ Summary
– The GameSir Swift Drive is a new controller featuring a small, removable steering wheel in its center that provides force feedback via a direct drive motor for racing games.
– It uses high-precision Hall effect sensors in its steering encoder, joysticks, and buttons, and its triggers have individual haptic motors to simulate braking and wheel slip.
– The controller offers adjustable steering rotation, an estimated 20-30 hour battery life with RGB lighting, and connects via a 2.4GHz wireless connection.
– For a more stationary setup, the GameSir Turbo Drive is a wireless, desk-clamping steering wheel with pedals, also using Hall effect sensors and offering extensive customizability.
– The Turbo Drive’s unique feature is a built-in turbine fan to simulate airflow, with a battery life ranging from 15 hours (fan on) to 50 hours (fan off).
GameSir continues to push the boundaries of gaming peripherals with its latest innovation, the Swift Drive controller. This new gamepad introduces a unique feature for racing enthusiasts: a small, centrally mounted steering wheel. This wheel is powered by what the company claims is the world’s smallest direct drive motor, delivering genuine force feedback effects directly into the player’s hands. This design aims to bridge the gap between a standard gamepad and a full racing wheel setup, offering immersive tactile response without sacrificing the familiar controller form factor.
While final pricing and a release date are still under wraps, GameSir has shared comprehensive details about the Swift Drive’s capabilities. The core of the experience is its high-precision Hall effect encoder, which reportedly offers up to 65,000 levels of resolution for exceptionally accurate steering control. Users can adjust the wheel’s rotation range from a tight 30 degrees all the way to a full 1080 degrees, mimicking the feel of different vehicles. The wheel itself features a rubberized grip for comfort and can be detached and swapped with other styles.
The controller’s advanced technology extends beyond the wheel. Both the joysticks and face buttons also utilize Hall effect sensors, which are prized for their durability and lack of drift over time. The triggers are enhanced with individual haptic motors, designed to simulate specific sensations like ABS brake pulsation or tire slip. For connectivity, the Swift Drive uses a 2.4GHz wireless connection. Despite housing reactive RGB lighting and multiple haptic systems, GameSir estimates a solid battery life of 20 to 30 hours on a single charge.
For players seeking a more dedicated simulation experience, GameSir is also introducing the Turbo Drive. This is a more traditional desk-clamp steering wheel and pedal set that maintains a wireless design. It shares several high-end features with the Swift Drive, including Hall effect sensors in its encoder, throttle, and paddle shifters, alongside extensive customization options for wheel rotation. Its most distinctive addition is a built-in turbine fan. This fan blows air toward the user to simulate the feeling of speed and airflow, adding an unexpected sensory layer to the driving experience. With the fan activated, battery life is around 15 hours, but disabling it can extend playtime to an impressive 50 hours before needing a recharge.
Both controllers highlight GameSir’s focus on integrating premium, drift-resistant components and customizable force feedback into accessible form factors. The Swift Drive, with its innovative embedded wheel, offers a novel portable solution for racing game fans, while the Turbo Drive caters to those wanting a fuller, feature-rich simulation setup at their desk.
(Source: The Verge)
