Ultraleap builds mid-air haptics and hand-tracking systems that use ultrasound to replicate touch, a technology demonstrated at TechCrunch Disrupt in 2017 and originating from CEO Tom Carter’s postgraduate research. The company merged with Leap Motion to combine hand tracking with mid-air haptics and has developed a fifth-generation hand-tracking platform called Gemini. Gemini is already integrated into multiple platforms and third-party hardware, including Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 chipset and Varjo’s VR-3 and XR-3 headsets. Ultraleap is working with commercial customers such as PepsiCo and Lego for public interfaces and with automakers including DS Automobiles and suppliers like Hosiden for in-cabin experiences. The company plans to take Gemini to different operating systems, increase investment in tooling and R&D, and enable developers to expand applications across XR, automotive, and out-of-home use cases. Ultraleap recently raised an $82 million Series D to accelerate those efforts, citing metaverse interest and the pandemic-driven shift toward touchless interfaces as fundraising drivers. Ultrahaptics develops mid-air touch technology that projects ultrasound-driven tactile sensations using proprietary algorithms and supporting hardware. Founded in 2013 and based on technology developed at the University of Bristol, the company enables users to feel and interact with virtual objects and controls via freehand gestures. It is engaged with blue-chip customers across automotive (including concept vehicles with Bosch and Harman), digital signage, location-based entertainment, industrial controls, medical interfaces, VR games and AR/VR enterprise applications. The company also supports the international academic community through a program designed to enable additional haptics research and development. Ultrahaptics raised £35m ($45m) in a Series C and intends to use the funds to further develop and commercialize its haptic technology in next-generation user interfaces and experiences. Led by CEO Steve Cliffe, the company is positioning for broader commercialization across key verticals. Ultrahaptics develops a platform that uses ultrasound waves to construct 3D, touchable sensations in mid-air, enabling users to flip invisible switches and turn dials without physical contact. The company positions the technology as a solution for VR/AR input and is exploring integrations both as an attached headset device and as a tabletop experience. A major commercial focus is automotive: Ultrahaptics is working with partners to embed its haptics into car dashboards for gesture-based controls. The company currently offers a Touch development kit for developers and plans a quarter-based update to provide a library of sensations for integration. Ultrahaptics is still early in finding widespread use cases but is actively seeking customers across industries. Financially, the company recently completed a Series B and has raised nearly $40 million to date. Ultrahaptics is a Bristol, UK-based developer and licensor of mid-air haptic technologies. The company's core product uses ultrasound to project tactile sensations through the air so users can feel touch-less buttons, receive feedback for mid-air gestures, or interact with virtual objects without wearing or touching devices. Led by CEO Steve Cliffe and CTO Tom Carter, Ultrahaptics develops and licenses its mid-air haptics technology to partners. The company raised £10.1m in a Series A funding round, bringing total funding to £11.3m to date. Ultrahaptics intends to use the funds for continued development of its ultrasound-based technology. Ultrahaptics has developed ultrasonic free-space haptics technology that creates the sensation of touch in mid-air by projecting ultrasound. Users can hold their hand over ultrasound speakers to feel virtual objects and operate switches and buttons. The company says the technology can be applied to a wide range of interfaces and is already engaged with key partners in multiple markets. Management describes the innovation as disruptive to how people interface with technology and sees near‑term work on broadening application areas. Financially, Ultrahaptics is receiving grant support to advance commercial development and applications. The company is based in Bristol, England.

Total raised

$166M

Funding rounds

5

Latest round

Series D

Latest activity

Nov 2021