Sony has patented a new analog stick mechanism that could allow players to manually adjust resistance, potentially bringing Adaptive Trigger-like functionality to future PlayStation controllers.

A newly granted Sony patent, identified as US-12752183-B2, describes analog sticks with adjustable physical resistance designed to improve precision and comfort.

Unlike the DualSense controller’s Adaptive Triggers, which change resistance during gameplay, the proposed analog sticks would primarily allow users to manually adjust how much force is needed to move them.

PlayStation Analog Sticks Could Feature Manual and Automatic Resistance

The patented design uses elastic components and threaded mechanisms beneath the analog sticks. Rotating the mechanism changes the position of an elastic component, increasing or decreasing resistance.

Sony suggests this could help address discomfort caused by existing analog sticks while improving control during movements requiring greater precision.

Interestingly, the patent also describes an electronically controlled version using a motor or linear actuator.

This could potentially allow resistance to change based on instructions from a connected device or software, although Sony hasn’t demonstrated how the feature would work in an actual game.

The technology isn’t entirely new, either. Sony’s patent family dates back to 2021, while companies including Microsoft have previously explored similar adjustable-resistance mechanisms.

For now, this remains a patented concept rather than a confirmed PlayStation controller feature. There is no indication that Sony plans to introduce the technology with DualSense or a future PS6 controller.