NXP Semiconductors invests in haptic-feedback company Senseg
NXP says that this is part of its drive to lead in new user interface technologies for mobile, consumer and automotive applications. Mark Hamersma, General Manager Emerging Businesses at NXP explains: “In our view, new user interface technologies will continue to be a key innovation area in smart phones, tablets and automotive applications in the coming years. Senseg has developed a very exciting solution to add touch sensations – such as feeling textures and contours – to standard touch screen displays. Most user interfaces today focus on our visual and hearing senses, and not on touch, so that is why we see this as a great new opportunity for growth. We see many high-value opportunities for this technology, not just in mobile, but also in Automotive where drivers need to keep their eyes on the road.”
Senseg says that the investment will enable it to commercialise the first high-fidelity haptic solution for smartphones. The company is seeking software lead and Android application developers, particularly those with mobile game development experience, to help bring its initial product to market.
Established in 2006, Senseg brings a new dimension to user experience (UX) design by making touch screens tactile. Senseg’s patented electrostatic technology is completely software controllable and has no moving parts, which improves responsiveness, eliminates unwanted sound, and minimizes power use. Senseg’s solution is scalable from small to large devices with no increase in manufacturing complexity – ideal for smartphone, tablet and automotive use cases.
The Senseg solution enables a “feelscreen” experience, in which users feel precise locations, edges and textures on smooth glass touch interfaces, that convey meaning and increase user engagement. Senseg’s technology supports a new “tactile vocabulary” for existing applications and enables a new class of applications designed specifically for tactile effects. Founded in 2006, Senseg was initially created to pursue medical technology related to understanding electric fields and human sensory systems. Later that year, the company identified primitive examples of the electrostatic tactile effects. Around 2007, with the iPhone coming to market, Senseg recognized that the touch screen interface would become the dominant user interface of future portable devices and the following year, the company set its goal to be a leader in next-generation tactile touch screen interfaces.
NXP’s investment will allow Senseg to develop a next-generation solution that will be small enough and inexpensive enough to penetrate the high-volume smartphone market, and subsequently other markets like portable gaming, navigation and in-vehicle controls. Existing investors including Ambient Sound Investments, and Finnvera Venture Capital, also participated in this investment round.
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