Ultraleap

HardwareBristol, England, United KingdomFounded 2013· One of 1779 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

Developed ultrasonic mid-air haptic feedback and hand-tracking technology; merged with Leap Motion in 2019, rebranded as Ultraleap. After majority layoffs, its hand-tracking business/team was acquired by ROLI (Nov 2025) and haptics IP sold separately to SIM IP.

CEO / Founder: Tom Carter
Team Size: 201-500
Stage: Acquired
Total Funding: $160M
Latest Round: Series D
Key Investors: Mayfair Equity Partners; Woodford Investment Management; IP Group plc; Dolby Family Ventures; British Patient Capital

Technology & Products

Key Products

Mid-air haptics and 3D hand tracking technology.

Technological Advantage

VERIFIED: Patented ultrasonic haptic array (US12373033, US12086328) enabling multi-modal feedback (texture, shape, force) in free space. CLAIMED: 'Only' mid-air haptic tech without wearables. DEFENSIBLE: Patents + trade secrets in acoustic design.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Enables touchless haptic interactions in VR/AR and automotive HMI by delivering precise tactile sensations via ultrasound, eliminating need for gloves or handheld controllers.

How They Differentiate

vs. Immersion (haptics licensing): Ultraleap offers hardware + software for XR; vs. bHaptics (wearable vests): Ultraleap is wearable-free; vs. SenseGlove (glove-based): Ultrahaptics enables bare-hand interaction.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Automotive OEMs, VR/AR game studios, medical device manufacturers, enterprise digital signage

Industry Verticals

Automotive; Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality; Medical Devices; Entertainment; Industrial Controls

Competitors

bHaptics, Sensoryx, SenseGlove, HaptX, Manus, Contact CI.

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Raised £35M Series C (2018); 300% headcount growth 2017–2019; merged with Leap Motion (valued $30M, 2019); partnerships with Dell, Nike, Meta, Bosch, Harman.

Major Milestones

Nov 2025: Acquired by ROLI (hand-tracking division + ~24 staff); haptics IP sold to SIM IP; CEO Tom Carter became ROLI's CTO & board member

Notable Customers

Dell; Nike; Meta; Bosch; Harman

https://www.ultraleap.com

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

Ultraleap develops ultrasonic phased-array technology that projects tactile sensations—texture, shape, force—onto a user's hands in free space, eliminating the need for gloves or handheld controllers. The company was formed in 2019 through the merger of Ultrahaptics and Leap Motion, combining haptic feedback with 3D hand tracking. It is currently restructuring amid financial challenges.

The core product is a hardware-software platform that uses proprietary acoustic engineering to deliver precise mid-air haptic fields. Patents covering the ultrasonic array design and multi-modal feedback provide a defensible moat, though the company faces competition from wearable-based haptics providers such as bHaptics, HaptX, and SenseGlove.

Target customers include automotive OEMs, VR/AR studios, medical device manufacturers, and digital signage operators. Named partners and customers include Dell, Nike, Meta, Bosch, and Harman. The technology is positioned for automotive HMI, VR/AR interaction, and industrial controls where bare-hand, touchless input is preferred.

Ultraleap has raised approximately $160 million from investors including Mayfair Equity Partners, IP Group, and Dolby Family Ventures. A 2018 Series C raised £35 million. The company has over 500 patent assets in haptics and XR, acquired by SIM IP. Its long-term competitive position depends on scaling adoption beyond pilot programs and navigating the current restructuring.