TOKYO, Japan, Mar 5, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it has developed a new system powered by FEEL TECH™ haptic technology that allows fans to experience physical sensations transmitted from artists, creating a stronger sense of closeness with their idols. To demonstrate the system's experiential value, DOCOMO collaborated with Cover Corporation to create trial content featuring the VTuber group “hololive English -Myth-.”

FEEL TECH™ digitizes, transmits and reproduces human sensations, including touch (haptics) and emotional cues, through a hand-held haptic device. When synchronized with audio-visual content, the technology delivers immersive experiences. DOCOMO is now applying these capabilities to enhance Japan's rapidly growing “oshi-katsu” culture, in which fans actively support and engage with their favorite actors and other idols, including anime and game characters.

Until now, fan experiences have been limited primarily to watching and listening. However, DOCOMO's new system adds haptic sensations to greatly expand the possibilities for artistic expression. Artists can now convey movement, energy and emotion through haptic feedback, communicating feelings that go beyond words and facial expressions.

By enabling fans to experience physical sensations transmitted from favorite artists, DOCOMO's system creates a heightened sense of presence—so immersive it feels as if they are right beside the artist, realizing a deeper, more personal emotional connection.

To validate the system, DOCOMO created trial content featuring the VTuber group hololive English -Myth-. Trial participants can select one of the three members to experience physical sensations synchronized to on-screen actions, including dynamic movements such as dancing and high-fives, as well as subtler sensations like heartbeats. Compared to conventional audio-visual viewing, the addition of haptic feedback significantly enhances immersion and realism, deepens the bond between fan and artist, and opens new avenues for creative expression. The effectiveness of this next-generation experience is now being evaluated through user participation.

DOCOMO will showcase this experiential content at the International Innovations section of  South by Southwest (SXSW) 2026 in Austin, Texas, USA from March 12 to 14.

Through this initiative, DOCOMO aims to pioneer a new culture of communication, part of its mission to create meaningful value that enriches people's lives.

FEEL TECH is a registered trademark of NTT DOCOMO.

About NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 91 million subscribers, is one of the global leaders in 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Under the slogan “Bridging Worlds for Wonder & Happiness,” DOCOMO is actively collaborating with global partners to expand its business scope from mobile services to comprehensive solutions, aiming to deliver unsurpassed value and drive innovation in technology and communications, ultimately to support positive change and advancement in global society. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/

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