HaptX
HaptX develops microfluidic haptic gloves and full-body force feedback systems for virtual reality, serving enterprise customers across defense, automotive, healthcare, retail, transportation, and robotics for training and teleoperation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What HaptX does
HaptX is a privately held haptics company founded in 2012 by Jake Rubin and Bob Crockett, headquartered in Redmond, Washington with additional offices in San Luis Obispo and San Francisco. The company develops microfluidic-based haptic feedback systems, with its flagship product line being the HaptX Gloves, which deliver touch and force feedback for virtual reality and industrial training applications. The technology is built around hundreds of microfluidic actuators per hand (135 in the G1), pneumatic compression, and sub-millimeter positional tracking (~0.3mm RMS), capable of delivering up to 8 lbf per finger and 40 lbs per hand of force feedback, with approximately 150 pressure-regulated channels per glove inflating in under 30ms. HaptX's intellectual property portfolio spans 22 granted patents covering microfluidic actuator design, pneumatic control systems, and tracking technology.
HaptX has progressed through multiple product generations: the DK1 developer kit (2018), the DK2 (2021, first serial production), the G1 (2023, first mass-produced glove), and the upcoming Nexus NX1 full-body haptic system planned for 2025/2026 launch through a separate subsidiary called 1HMX. The HaptX SDK supports integrations including ROS for robotics and ML applications, and the platform is increasingly being positioned as a teleoperation and training-data capture tool for AI/robotics customers.
The company's business model is enterprise hardware sales with quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts, distributed through a direct sales force and a channel partner network spanning 14+ countries. Named customers include Y-12 National Security Complex (defense), Nissan (automotive), Lowe's (retail), BNSF Railway (transportation), Mayo Clinic (healthcare), Sanctuary AI (robotics), and the US Army / DHA (defense/healthcare), spanning seven distinct verticals. Total disclosed funding to date is approximately $58 million across multiple rounds, including a $23M strategic round in September 2022.
HaptX firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HaptX
- Legal name
- HaptX, Inc.
- Website
- https://haptx.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- HaptX develops microfluidic haptic gloves and full-body force feedback systems for virtual reality, serving enterprise customers across defense, automotive, healthcare, retail, transportation, and robotics for training and teleoperation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HaptX industry classification
Industry- Product category
- VR Haptics Hardware
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VR/AR Gaming Hardware (Headsets & Controllers) (HDACANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- VR/XR Hardware & Accessories (Headsets, Controllers, Trackers, Haptics) (MPAFAGAG), VR-Based Skills Training Simulations (Soft Skills, Customer Service, Leadership) (EDAFAJAA), Digital Twins & Scenario-Based Systems Training (Equipment/Process Simulators) (EDAFAJAJ), VR/AR Gaming Platforms (BPAMAKAG)
Keywords
Where HaptX is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
HaptX business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Haptic Hardware Sales: Sale of HaptX Gloves G1 hardware systems including gloves, Airpack pneumatic units, and accessories. Enterprise pricing with one-year warranty against manufacturer defects.
- SDK Licensing: HaptX SDK included with hardware purchase at no additional fee. Enables developers to create touch-enabled experiences for VR and robotics applications.
- Professional Services: Integration, deployment, and support services through authorized resellers. Includes training, SDK setup assistance, and ongoing technical support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Enterprise hardware pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels11 records
Marketing channels7 records
HaptX product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HaptX designs, manufactures, and sells microfluidic-based haptic gloves (HaptX Gloves G1) that physically displace the user's skin to deliver realistic touch feedback in virtual reality. The product line targets enterprise VR training, robotics teleoperation, and digital design/manufacturing workflows, and is complemented by the HaptX SDK for development integration and the Nexus NX1 full-body haptics system built by subsidiary 1HMX.
Product overview
HaptX offers a portfolio of microfluidic haptic gloves led by HaptX Gloves G1 — the first mass-produced microfluidic haptic glove for enterprise VR training, simulation, and robotics applications. The product line spans current (G1) and previous generation (DK2, DK1) gloves, supported by the HaptX SDK for development integration and the Airpack pneumatic power system. The company also participates in the broader 1HMX ecosystem through the Nexus NX1 full-body haptics system, which integrates HaptX Gloves G1 with third-party locomotion hardware.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HaptX Gloves G1: First mass-produced microfluidic haptic glove for workforce training simulations.
- HaptX Gloves DK2
- Nexus NX1
- HaptX SDK
Products and services
- HaptX Gloves G1 Enterprise-grade haptic gloves that use microfluidic tactile actuators to physically displace the user's skin, providing true-contact haptic feedback for VR training, simulation, and robotics control. Features 135 tactile actuators per hand, up to 40 lb force feedback per hand, and sub-millimeter motion tracking. Targeted at Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies, and robotics companies.
- Nexus NX1 Full-body VR haptics system engineered by 1HMX (HaptX subsidiary) that integrates HaptX Gloves G1 with Virtuix Omni One omnidirectional treadmill, Freeaim Shoes, and 72 degrees of freedom body and hand tracking for immersive human-machine experience in VR and robotics. Targeted at enterprise VR/robotics applications.
- HaptX SDK 3.0 Software development kit enabling developers to create touch-enabled experiences with HaptX Gloves. Includes Unreal Engine and Unity plugins, C++ API, ROS node (ROS 1 and ROS 2), SteamVR support, vibrotactile API, pre-built haptics effects and templates, and multiuser haptic functionality. Targeted at developers and integrators building VR training, robotics, and design applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4x faster training vs traditional classroom learning (PwC 2022 study)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use HaptX
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HaptX technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature6 records
HaptX partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.
- Sanctuary AIcoreSelected HaptX Gloves to enable human operators piloting Sanctuary's humanoid robot to feel objects being handled during teleoperation.
- University of Central Florida Modeling Simulation and Training LabsupportingCollaboration on multiuser haptics functionality for Y-12 virtual glovebox training simulator.
- Roundtable LearningsupportingVR learning solutions provider integrating HaptX Gloves G1 into BNSF Railway's VR training programs for mechanical training.
- Y-12 National Security Complex / Consolidated Nuclear SecurityflagshipSigned MOU to advance VR technology for U.S. Government training missions; co-developing virtual glovebox training simulator with multiuser haptics.
- Lowe's Innovation LabsflagshipCollaborated on Infinite Kitchen Touch prototype for retail customer engagement; enables haptic materials evaluation in virtual kitchen design environment.
- Shadow Robot CompanyflagshipCo-developed Tactile Telerobot as part of Converge Robotics Group consortium; provides Dexterous Hands integrated with HaptX Gloves for remote robot control with haptic feedback.
- Tangible ResearchflagshipPart of Converge Robotics Group consortium developing Tactile Telerobot; provides expertise in haptic feedback systems.
- FundamentalVRcorePartnered to integrate HaptX Gloves into high-fidelity orthopedic surgery simulator; combines HaptX Gloves with FundamentalVR's Surgical Haptics Intelligence Engine.
- Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS)coreDHA-awarded contract to develop haptics-based training system with HaptX and Mayo Clinic for US Army's Synthetic Training Environment.
- Mayo CliniccoreCollaborating with ECS and HaptX on haptics-based VR medical training for burn care treatment.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HaptX competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- bHaptics: bHaptics is a Korean maker of consumer and enterprise haptic vests, gloves, and face cushions using vibrotactile actuators. Competes with HaptX at a lower price point and consumer/TechVR segment, often cited as the alternative for buyers who prioritize affordability over HaptX's microfluidic realism.
- SenseGlove: SenseGlove is a Netherlands-based haptic glove maker targeting enterprise VR training and research with force-feedback exoskeleton gloves. Direct competitor to HaptX Gloves G1 in the same enterprise haptic glove category, with comparable customer overlap in automotive and academic research.
- VRgluv: VRgluv is a US-based haptic glove maker using force-feedback exoskeleton technology for VR training, gaming, and enterprise use. Direct competitor with overlapping target customer base and similar messaging on realism and muscle memory.
- Manus (Manus VR): Manus (formerly Manus VR) is a Dutch provider of high-end VR gloves for motion capture, training, and enterprise applications. Competes directly with HaptX in mocap and VR training with a comparable enterprise GTM and Unreal/Unity integrations.
- Dexta Robotics: China-based Dexta Robotics makes Dexmo force-feedback exoskeleton gloves for VR/AR and robotics teleoperation. Closely comparable to HaptX in target use cases (robotics teleoperation, immersive VR) and force-feedback hardware architecture.
Emerging players
- Synapticon: Synapticon is a German motion-control and robotics company building dexterous hand platforms and haptic feedback modules. Adjacent to HaptX in robotics haptics and humanoid manipulation, with overlapping customers in research labs and AI/robotics startups.
- Force Dimension: Force Dimension makes high-end haptic devices and motion platforms (e.g., Omega, Delta) primarily for medical simulation, research, and robotics. Comparable to HaptX at the high-fidelity end of haptic feedback, though with a stationary/desk-mounted form factor rather than wearable gloves.
- Allegro Hand (Wonik Robotics): Wonik Robotics' Allegro Hand is a multi-fingered robotic hand commonly used for teleoperation and AI research. Comparable to HaptX on the robotics teleoperation side, increasingly paired with haptic gloves for human-in-the-loop manipulation experiments.
Broad incumbents
- Sony Group (Sony Interactive Entertainment): Sony's PlayStation VR2 and broader spatial entertainment presence make it a broad incumbent in VR hardware. While not focused on haptic gloves, Sony is a potential strategic acquirer or competitor in advanced haptics for enterprise and gaming VR.
- Meta Platforms (Reality Labs): Meta's Reality Labs builds the Quest headsets and invests in haptic research and EMG wristbands. A broad incumbent covering the VR hardware category HaptX targets; any first-party haptic accessory would compete directly with HaptX's enterprise glove proposition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HaptX social profiles
Digital presenceHaptX financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HaptX leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
HaptX subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
HaptX funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors15 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HaptX M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HaptX
What does HaptX do?
HaptX designs, manufactures, and sells microfluidic-based haptic gloves (HaptX Gloves G1) that physically displace the user's skin to deliver realistic touch feedback in virtual reality. The product line targets enterprise VR training, robotics teleoperation, and digital design/manufacturing workflows, and is complemented by the HaptX SDK for development integration and the Nexus NX1 full-body haptics system built by subsidiary 1HMX.
Is HaptX a public or private company?
HaptX is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was HaptX founded?
HaptX was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is HaptX based?
HaptX is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does HaptX make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Haptic Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are SDK Licensing and professional Services.
Who are HaptX's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are bHaptics, SenseGlove, VRgluv, Manus (Manus VR) and Dexta Robotics. Emerging players are Synapticon, Force Dimension and Allegro Hand (Wonik Robotics). Broad incumbents are Sony Group (Sony Interactive Entertainment) and Meta Platforms (Reality Labs).
Does HaptX have an API?
No public API is recorded for HaptX.
What industry is HaptX in?
HaptX's product category is VR Haptics Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACANAD, VR/AR Gaming Hardware (Headsets & Controllers), with a secondary code of MPAFAGAG, VR/XR Hardware & Accessories (Headsets, Controllers, Trackers, Haptics). Its NAICS code is 33451.