Ultrasound waves can create the physical sensation of touch in mid-air without any physical contact.

Mid-air haptics rely on a phenomenon called acoustic radiation pressure. When ultrasonic waves from an array of transducers converge at a specific focal point, they create a localized pressure difference strong enough to displace the skin by a few micrometers. This displacement activates mechanoreceptors in the hand, such as Meissner's corpuscles, which the brain interprets as physical touch.Ultraleap, a UK-based company formerly known as Ultrahaptics, is a leading pioneer in this field. Founded in 2013 following research at the University of Bristol, the company has developed systems that typically use 64 or more transducers operating at 40 kHz. This frequency is well above the human hearing range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, keeping the device silent during operation.By modulating the intensity and position of these focal points hundreds of times per second, the technology can simulate complex sensations like a pulsing button or a rotating dial. Research published in journals such as IEEE Transactions on Haptics shows that users can reliably distinguish between different virtual textures using this method. The innovation is now being integrated into automotive dashboards and VR systems to provide tactile feedback without requiring gloves or handheld controllers.