Haptx raises $23M for full-body VR touch platform
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HaptX, the maker of data gloves for virtual reality, has raised $23 million to accelerate the development of its next-generation of haptic technology.
Redmond, Washington-based Haptx brings the sensation of touch to VR, making it more immersive for people so they can feel like they’re transported to another world, said CEO Jake Rubin in an interview with GamesBeat. The quality of “presence” that touch can bring is widely believed to be one of the requirements for feeling like you’re inside a VR-based metaverse.
Haptx previously launched its second development kit about two years ago, and it fielded its first product in early 2021. Companies are using it for things like product design.
“In 2016, we started with the vision of full body immersion,” Rubin said. “We’ve continued that development. We needed to pick a piece of the market to bring the technology to. The obvious place to start is with the hands, which are most sensitive. That was the genesis for the Haptx gloves.”
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AIS Global and Crescent Cove Advisors led the round, with participation from Verizon Ventures, Mason Avenue Investments, and Taylor Frigon Capital Partners.
This investment brings HaptX’s total funding to more than $58 million. Centerview Partners acted as financial advisor to HaptX.
The proceeds from this round will be used to fund commercialization of next-generation products building on the success of HaptX’s award-winning HaptX
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