Pioneering mid-air touch technology developed in Bristol is to be available for the first time commercially in a virtual reality (VR) headset for gamers.
Ultraleap, the Bristol-based firm behind the world-leading technology, has signed an agreement with innovative immersive VR hardware firm Pimax, based in Shanghai and Silicon Valley. 
Pimax describes itself as a “group of engineers and VR enthusiasts [who] are obsessed with the beauty of mathematics and innovations”. Under the deal Pimax’s products will now offer Ultraleap’s hand-tracking technology.
The move is Ultraleap’s first official accessory integration within a consumer market VR headset. The firm, which employs more than 150 people across the UK, US and Asia, said it would enable more people to have more intuitive interactions and immersive VR experiences with the games they love.
Ultraleap’s world-leading hand tracking technology has been developed over 10 years using artificial intelligence.
The unique technology enables users to receive tactile feedback without needing to wear or touch anything and can be used in a wide range of industries, including extended reality, automotive, digital signage, industrial automation, consumer electronics and location-based entertainment, to bring natural interaction between people and technology.
The hand tracking module, powered by Ultraleap, will be used in Pimax’s entire VR headset collection. The firm’s headsets sell for up to $1,299 each.
Pimax COO Kevin Henderson said: “We’ve been working with the Ultraleap team for some time now and we are so excited to be able to officially bring this amazing technology to the gaming and immersive computing community.
“As the most advanced hand tracking available, we can’t wait to see our supporters play around with this addition and finally have the power of natural interaction for all of their VR experiences.
“Final production arrangements are well underway and we expect to make these modules available to the Pimax community in the second quarter of 2020.”
Ultraleap CEO Steve Cliffe added: “Using our hands, as we do in the physical world, is a fundamental element needed as we interact with the digital world. What’s so important about this agreement is that it means even more people will be able to experience the magic of hand tracking.”
Originally called Ultrahaptics – and a spin-out from the University of Bristol – the firm rebranded last year after combining with US firm Leap Motion. By then Ultrahaptics had already grown into the world’s leading mid-air haptics company.
