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Hapware Launches AlEye Haptic Wristband for Blind and Deafblind Users
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Hapware has opened pre-orders for its new AlEye haptic wristband, a wearable designed to translate non-verbal social cues into touch-based feedback for blind and deafblind users. The device integrates with Meta smart glasses to deliver real-time haptic signals that correspond to gestures such as handshakes, waves, and smiles, enabling users to access subtle social interactions that are typically missed.
Speaking to Double Tap, Hapware co-founder Jack Walters confirmed that AlEye converts visual signals captured by the glasses into haptic vibrations in less than a quarter of a second. “AlEye restored a once long-lost depth of everyday communication,” he quoted one early tester as saying. The wearable currently recognises 27 distinct cues, which can be customised to fit different social settings, from professional meetings to casual interactions.
The system prioritises action-oriented cues, such as a handshake or someone walking away, and ensures that repeated gestures are not overwhelming by only relaying new or relevant signals. All visual processing is performed locally on the user’s phone, maintaining privacy without storing images or recordings. Haply is also exploring future features like person recognition and multi-person spatial awareness, which would indicate who in a group is performing a gesture.
AlEye is compatible with Meta’s full range of smart glasses, operating through the company’s wearable SDK in a dedicated “AlEye mode.” The device will ship in its first production batch this November, with global pre-orders currently available at $359 USD, plus a $19–$29 monthly subscription. Hapware has received pre-orders from users in the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and other countries, and plans to support international access from launch.
For blind and deafblind users, AlEye represents a significant shift in social communication access, offering a way to perceive gestures, reactions, and group dynamics in real time. Hapware positions the device as a transformative tool for personal, educational, and professional interactions, with the potential to expand as wearable technology evolves.
Resources:
– Hapware Official Website
https://hapware.com
