Ultrahaptics Becomes Ultraleap
Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief
Ultrahaptics, who acquired Leap Motion back in May 2019, are rebranding under a single new company name, Ultraleap.
The acquisition surprised many in the industry but did combine two complementary technologies to create, what many believe, is the world’s leading spatial interaction company.
As technology leaders in mid-air haptics and hand tracking, Ultrahaptics and Leap Motion are accelerating innovation in user interfaces and enhancing commercial software and hardware applications. The new corporate brand, Ultraleap, represents a significant step forward for the combined group, while reflecting the company’s dual roots.
The Ultrahaptics and Leap Motion names will be maintained as trademarks for existing products only, with Ultraleap used for all new software and hardware launches.
Commenting on the rebrand, Ultraleap (formally Ultrahaptics) CEO, Steve Cliffe told us “The story is now bigger than either Ultrahaptics or Leap Motion, and it’s about more than just haptics and hand tracking. We provide the world’s first full vertical stack of software and hardware for spatial (3D) interaction. We are at the epicentre of the interface revolution. Rebranding isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly. We’re immensely proud of what our companies have achieved. We’re also very excited for what’s to come. Our new name and brand reflects our ambitions in this new world, now and for the future.”
Ultraleap encompasses both hand tracking and mid-air haptics technology. The tracking technology can be embedded into any product, including VR and AR headsets. Mid-air haptics is a ‘virtual touch’ technology that uses ultrasound to project tactile sensations onto users’ hands. Users can feel and interact with virtual objects and controls, with no need for wearables, controllers or touchscreens.
The two businesses have a wide range of research-based IP. Their combined resources are now focused on facilitating highly engaging, natural interaction between people and machines.
Tactile, virtual interfaces are set to transform user interaction across sectors such as automotive, advertising, immersive entertainment, VR/AR, training/simulation and enterprise applications. A wide range of clients from global technology giants to creative studios have already licensed Ultraleap technology, including The Void’s Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire at Disney. In the automotive sector, the technology has been showcased in concept cars developed by Harman, and Bosch.
Ultraleap was formed in 2019 after two leaders in their fields, Leap Motion and Ultrahaptics, joined forces. The combined resources of the two businesses and a wide range of research-based IP are now focused on facilitating engaging, natural spatial interaction between people and machines. This fast-growth company employs nearly 150 people across UK, US and Asia. It is the first to offer the full vertical stack of software and hardware to enable immersive virtual touch controls for the automotive, advertising, immersive entertainment and enterprise sectors.
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