Old Dominion University, based in Washington HaptX and the Georgia Institute of Technology won a grant to promote the development of virtual reality for the visually impaired by transmitting braille characters and digital images using gloves.
The project will explore how visually impaired people experience virtual environments by using HaptX gloves to interact with digital images and objects in real time.
HaptX G1 glove technology simulates tactile sensation with microfluidic activation for use in virtual reality and robotics. The company’s haptic gloves fit like conventional work gloves and can be used in a variety of environments.
The goal of the project is to create a virtual Braille user interface design with auditory displays. The partners will develop proofs of concept, study feasibility, build a model for a Phase II prototype and evaluate commercial potential.
“This project offers an altruistic aspect in developing a technical solution that can make a difference in the integration and instruction of the visually impaired community,” said Dr. Michel Audette, co-principal investigator and professor at the Faculty of ODU Batten Engineering and Technology, in a statement.
“At the same time, computer-assisted medicine is undergoing an algorithmic revolution in the form of deep neural networks and repositories of data and source codes available. New collaborations arise by chance and lead to projects that none of us could have foreseen. This is true for my relationship with HaptX; my original interest involved a proposal for obstetric simulation based on their haptic glove.”
THE BIGGEST TREND
HaptX raised $12 million in Series A funding in 2021, bringing the company’s total raising to $31 million at the time. Investors included Verizon Ventures, Mason Avenue Investments, Taylor Frigon Capital Partners and Upheaval Investments.
At the same time, HaptX opened its headquarters in Redmond, Washington and used the additional space to expand its team.
HaptX closed a $23 million funding round led by AIS Global and Crescent Cove Advisors in 2022. The round featured additional investments from existing partners Verizon Ventures, Taylor Frigon Capital Partners and Mason Avenue Investments.
The company planned to use that capital to boost the commercialization of its suite of products.