HapWare has closed an oversubscribed $1.5 million pre-seed financing ahead of the planned 2027 launch of ALEYE, a wrist-worn haptic device designed to translate facial expressions, gestures, and body language into touch. The Denver-based company also announced that ALEYE was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 in the Accessibility category.
ALEYE connects with Meta smart glasses or smartphone cameras to detect visual social cues. The system converts those cues into distinct vibration patterns on a user’s wrist. HapWare describes the device as a way for blind, low-vision, and DeafBlind users to receive nonverbal information that is often missing from audio-only interactions. A smile can feel like one pattern, while another gesture or expression can create a different tactile signal.
The product was shaped by the lived experience of HapWare co-founder and CTO Dr. Bryan Duarte, who became blind at age 18 and later earned a Ph.D. in computer science. HapWare said nonverbal communication can account for more than half of human interaction, creating a significant information gap for users who cannot reliably see facial expressions, gestures, or body language.
The pre-seed round was led by Adaptation Ventures, with participation from Sidecut Ventures, Mines Venture Fund, Avesta Fund, The Pitch Fund, and other investors. HapWare plans to use the financing to move ALEYE from testing toward a broader U.S. launch through organizations including the Braille Institute of America, the American Council of the Blind, and assistive-technology distributors.
The company is also exploring applications beyond accessibility, including support for autistic and other neurodivergent users who may benefit from clearer interpretation of social cues. HapWare has opened preorders with a refundable $59 deposit toward a planned $359 retail price.
KEY QUOTES:
“The majority of communication is visual. Our customers tell us ALEYE helps them navigate conversations at work, know when someone is waving, recognize when a loved one is smiling, and feel more independent.”
Jack Walters, CEO And Co-Founder Of HapWare
