In Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality News
September 20, 2019 – Ultrahaptics and Leap Motion have announced that they are rebranding under a single new company name: Ultraleap. This follows the two companies coming together in May 2019, combining two complementary technologies to create the spatial interaction company.
Focusing on mid-air haptics and hand tracking, Ultrahaptics and Leap Motion have stated that they 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, said: “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.
Cliffe added: “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. According to the company, 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 therefore ‘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, and their combined resources will now be focused on facilitating highly engaging, natural interaction between people and machines. The company also stated that 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.
Image credit: Ultraleap/Ultrahaptics/Leap Motion
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About the author
Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.