Sony’s New Patent Could Provide a Solution to Stick Drift

A new Sony patent has surfaced online for non-contact magnetic sensors on a controller that could potentially solve the stick-drift issues players have been facing with the DualSense.

The DualSense controller is one of the best on the market, featuring advanced technology like adaptive triggers, precise haptic feedback, and more. However, like many other mainstream controllers, it suffers from the issue of stick drift. Fortunately, it appears that Sony is working on a solution to address this drawback.

Spotted by Cheat Happens, a new patent from Sony Interactive Entertainment has surfaced online, titled ‘Operating Stick Assembly and Input Device.” The patent is for an operating stick on controllers that will use a non-contact sensor, which could be magnetic, that helps detect the movement of the operating stick with “high precision even under prolonged use.”

Another mechanism is described in which the rotation of the operating stick is restricted through protrusions and grooves. This allows players to tilt the stick in any direction while limiting its rotation around the axis, which improves operability. Additionally, a spring-based return mechanism is incorporated, and support for L3/R3 is included, featuring a “downward press” operation with a sensor assembly that keeps the distance between the sensor constant.

The only thing that players don’t know is whether the patent will be applied to the next-generation PlayStation 6 controller, or, like some other patents, it may never see the light of day. Players will have to wait for an official announcement to find out.

What are your thoughts on Sony’s new patent solving the DualSense stick drift issue? Leave your thoughts down in the comments, and join the official Insider Gaming Discord server.

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