The past two generations have increasingly been about the move from physical to digital worlds but the bits cannot displace atoms without some assistance and here UltraSense Systems, a US-based creator of a way of pushing a button without it having to be physically there, is trying to help.
UltraSense last month introduced the world’s first ultrasound system-on-a-chip sensor that enables touch sensing through virtually any material of any thickness and has just raised $20m in its series B round from a consortium co-led by industrial group Robert Bosch’s RBVC unit, and including venture capital firms Artiman Ventures, Hui Capital and Abies Ventures, and corporate venturing units Asahi Kasei Corporation and Sony Innovation Fund.
Luis Llovera, managing director of North America for Robert Bosch Venture Capital, said: “We see great potential in the adoption of UltraSense’s unique ultrasound sensor enabling new industrial designs required to support 5G mmWave antenna technology for handheld devices and next-generation automobiles, providing aesthetically minimal and cleaner interiors for EV [electric vehicles] and shared vehicles by eliminating physical buttons.”
Gen Tsuchikawa, chief investment manager at Sony Innovation Fund, added: “From automotive to consumer products, we look forward to helping disrupt the touch interface market.”
As Thiel notes: “To be motivational, a goal must be both ambitious and achievable.”
Taking the mind into the world seems to be fulfil this and achieve science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke’s third law: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
