HapWare, a Denver-based wearable technology company, announced that its ALEYE haptic wristband has been named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 in the Accessibility category. The device gives people who are blind, have low vision, or are DeafBlind instant access to facial expressions, gestures, and body language through touch on a wristworn wearable. The recognition comes as HapWare closes an oversubscribed US$1.5 million Pre-Seed round and prepares to bring ALEYE to users across the world.
How ALEYE Works
ALEYE connects to Meta smart glasses or smartphone cameras to detect facial expressions, gestures, and body language, translating these nonverbal cues into distinct vibration patterns on the wrist. A smile feels like a U-shape traced across the wrist, while a wave creates a side-to-side vibration. By making visual cues accessible through touch, ALEYE helps users access information that adds context and connection to everyday conversations.
A Mission Rooted in Lived Experience
The story of ALEYE starts with lived experience from HapWare CTO and cofounder Dr. Bryan Duarte, who became blind at 18 and later earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science. Dr. Duarte states that the most important thing humans can do in life is interact with other humans. He adds that HapWare's mission is to give users the information they need to be fully included in every social interaction.
Market Need and Customer Impact
Nonverbal communication can account for more than 50% of communication, and that layer has been out of reach for millions of blind and low-vision people. HapWare is launching ALEYE across the United States with Braille Institute of America, Society for the Blind, and a growing network of assistive technology distributors. CEO Jack Walters says customers report that ALEYE helps them navigate workplace conversations, recognize a smile, and feel more independent.
Funding and Strategic Backing
HapWare's US$1.5 million Pre-Seed round was oversubscribed and led by Adaptation Ventures, with participation from Sidecut Ventures, Mines Venture Fund, Avesta Fund, The Pitch Fund, and others. Rich Palmer, Managing Partner at Adaptation Ventures, said the firm backed HapWare early because it saw an incredible team building from lived experience. He added that recognition from TIME and strong investor interest are well-deserved.
Responsible Growth and Future Use Cases
With a team of engineers and experts in responsible technology development, HapWare is working to make communication universally accessible. Beginning with the blind, low-vision, and DeafBlind community, the company sees future opportunities to support autistic and other neurodivergent people, help sales professionals understand nonverbal responses, and enable developers to build new applications through a haptic software development kit. Privacy, user choice, and collaboration with the communities it serves will guide this work.
Availability
Consumers can reserve ALEYE today with a fully refundable US$59 deposit, which secures a 20% discount off the retail price. The fully refundable deposit is applied toward the US$359 preorder price and guarantees a place among the first shipments when ALEYE officially launches in 2027. Interested customers can place a preorder directly through the company's website at hapware.com/preorder.
HapWare is a Denver-based wearable technology company that builds haptic technology for people with disabilities, and ALEYE represents a meaningful step toward making communication universally accessible. The combination of TIME recognition, customer validation, and an oversubscribed Pre-Seed round positions the company for its planned 2027 launch. As HapWare expands its ecosystem and explores new applications, it aims to ensure that nonverbal information is no longer out of reach for the communities it serves.