The founder of pioneering Bristol hand-tracking software firm Ultraleap, Dr Tom Carter, has been awarded one of global engineering’s most prestigious awards.
The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Silver Medal recognises an outstanding personal contribution to the sector that has resulted in the successful commercial use of their innovation.
Tom, pictured, invented Ultraleap’s haptic technology during his studies at the University of Bristol. He subsequently co-founded the company in 2013 to commercialise the product and since then has built a portfolio of more than 160 patents on the technology, being a named inventor on many of the applications.
Ultraleap’s technology uses ultrasound to create tactile sensations in mid-air. Sound waves from a collection of small ultrasonic speakers are focused onto the user’s hands, causing the skin to vibrate and elicit the sensation of touch.
It is used in industries ranging from extended reality (VR & AR), digital signage, kiosks, automotive, industrial automation, consumer electronics and entertainment.
With most people now anxious about touching screens due to Covid-19, Ultrahaptics has launched a tool that harnesses its pioneering touchless technology to eliminate the need for people to touch interactive screens to buy tickets and other products in places such as railway stations, hotels and airports.
Tom said: “I am extremely honoured to receive such a prestigious award from the Academy.
“When we first set out to commercialise our haptics product, I had no idea what was in store.
“I’m proud of what we’ve created and I’m so fortunate to have amassed such a talented and impressive team that are dedicated to continual innovation and the development of our technologies.” 
Tech entrepreneur and investor Sir Hossein Yassaie, who is an advisor to Ultraleap, added: “Tom has guided the team at Ultraleap to overcome impressive technical challenges and directed the company to tremendous commercial success, including a recent major deal with Qualcomm to make Ultraleap’s technology the primary interaction method for the next generation of virtual and augmented reality headsets.”
Tom, who is Ultraleap’s CTO, will receive the medal from the Academy’s Royal Fellow, HRH The Princess Royal on July 13.
It is not the first Royal Academy of Engineering recognition for Tom. He won its Colin Campbell Mitchell award with his two co-inventors when the firm, a spin-out from the University of Bristol, was called Ultrahaptics. It has since combined with US firm Leap Motion.
