A new generation of the Valve Knuckles controllers are rolling out to developers with thumbsticks added on. The touchpad is reduced to a small strip on the updated controllers.

Among the changes:

Improved industrial design and ergonomics

Updated input set and layout

Improved strap fit and feel for more hand sizes

New sensors, enabling new interactions

Improved battery life, USB-C charging port

Added support for SteamVR Tracking 2.0

The new “force sensors can be used in conjunction with capacitive sensors to enable higher fidelity interactions. With these two sensors working together, we can detect the full range of the hand position – from completely open, to holding the controller lightly, to gripping it tightly. This helps us understand user intent and makes things like ‘pickup and throw’ with Knuckles EV2 much improved.”

Here are some videos showing the new controllers in action:

As part of the roll-out, a new tech demo called Moondust set in the Portal universe will be available to “hundreds” of developers receiving the new controller prototypes.