
TMR, which stands for Tunneling Magnetoresistance (and we won’t type that out again!), is a way to sense magnetic fields without physical contact, similar to Hall Effect sensors. However, TMR works by measuring changes in electrical resistance caused by magnetic fields, rather than changes in voltage. This allows TMR sensors to detect even the smallest movements and provide more accurate readings.
While the technology isn’t new – it was first used in the 1990s for hard drives and has been used in industrial and automotive applications for years – it’s recently become popular in gaming controllers. This is because the sensors have become smaller and cheaper, letting scientists miniaturize them so everyone from casual to competitive gamers can benefit.