Afference develops the Phantom, a wireless haptic glove that uses neural stimulation to create artificial touch sensations, allowing users to feel digital interactions without physical contact. This technology enhances user experience in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality environments by bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds.
Funding
$5M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (XR) experiences lack realistic tactile feedback, limiting user immersion and the potential for intuitive interaction with digital environments. Existing haptic devices often rely on cumbersome mechanical actuators or skin vibrations, failing to create convincing and nuanced touch sensations.
Solution
Afference's Phantom is a wireless haptic glove that uses neural stimulation to create artificial touch sensations, enabling users to "feel" digital objects and interactions without physical contact. The Phantom stimulates the user's nerves, creating haptic illusions that the brain interprets as real touch. The lightweight, transparent design allows for seamless interaction with both the digital and physical worlds. The device connects wirelessly to any device, including VR/AR/MR headsets, game consoles, computers, and mobile devices.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes developers and users of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality applications, as well as gamers and professionals seeking more immersive and intuitive digital experiences.
Features
- Wireless connectivity via Bluetooth for untethered movement
- Neural stimulation technology that creates artificial touch sensations without physical pressure
- Adjustable rings for customized sensation on the fingertips
- Compatibility with existing AR, VR, and MR headsets via a software development kit (SDK)
- Lightweight harness design that allows for seamless interaction with the physical world
- Integration with hand-tracking technology from head-mounted displays