At least according to a new patent application, Cupertino engineers are aiming to take Apple Glasses and Apple VR mixed reality headsets to new immersive heights.

According to a patent discovered by our sister publication TechRadar, Apple has filed for a "haptic output device" that provides feedback to a peripheral in the form of "a sock or shoe with a cavity configured to accept a user's foot."

Since VR is primarily a visual experience, it can be difficult to perceive the environment without skin sensation. Apple explains that the device gives users the experience of walking on different types of surfaces.

"The feedback is driven by an asymmetric sawtooth wave drive signal, which moves the haptic output component back and forth equally, providing the user with a sense of unidirectional motion while the user's feet remain in a fixed location.

A similar device that can express texture through vibration is the PS5's DualSense controller. Most noticeable in the game Astro's Playroom, the user can feel the brittleness of the glass and the thinness of the metal cavities.

Apparently piezoelectric haptics and electroactive polymer haptics are used in these socks, along with various coils and magnets.

This is clearly a different solution when compared to VR treadmills, which utilize low-friction surfaces in low-friction shoes.

Along with these VR socks, Apple is also apparently developing a smart ring that tracks hand gestures. For non-gamers, this would be a much more intuitive input solution.

At this time, the upcoming VR headset is rumored to offer customers $3,000. Apparently, Apple is targeting the next VR headset at developers first, so that developers can create apps. After that, Apple may release a more consumer-oriented AR mixed reality headset.