Ultraleap, the creator of the Leap Motion 2 hand tracking controller, is currently going through a significant restructuring process. The company has decided to lay off half of its employees and plans to sell its impressive hand tracking technology. However, Ultraleap will still keep its haptics projects and establish a new company focused on them. The new company will be owned by the existing shareholders of Ultraleap. These unexpected changes have come as a surprise to many, especially since Ultraleap recently launched its latest hand tracking technology called Hyperion.
Just a short period ago, the DPVR E4 Arc headset, which is powered by Ultraleap’s hand tracking technology, was also released. Many were not anticipating such major changes to occur within Ultraleap, given its reputation for groundbreaking innovations in the hand tracking field. The decision to sell its hand tracking technology has left many shocked. However, the development of a new company centered around haptics research signals that Ultraleap may have had a significant breakthrough in this area.
The haptics technology being developed by Ultraleap aims to provide tactile feedback to users’ hands and fingers while in midair. The ability to interact with Mixed Reality elements and feel the touch on one’s fingertips is a remarkable advancement in XR (Extended Reality) technology. Although Ultraleap has not yet confirmed the details of its business restructuring, the ongoing layoffs indicate that changes are indeed taking place.
Despite the challenges posed by the restructuring process and the job losses, there is hope that something positive will emerge from these changes. Many are eager to see Ultraleap’s haptics technology integrated into mainstream consumer VR headsets. Additionally, the pool of skilled professionals who are now available in the job market may bring valuable contributions to the industry. It is a difficult time for those affected by the company’s restructuring, but there is optimism that new opportunities will arise in the near future.