Auralis raises $11M to build tactile audio haptics for next-gen headphones

Tech · 3 min read

Auralis developed a compact haptic module that syncs with audio streams to provide tactile emphasis, enhancing perceived immersion for music and spatial audio. The hardware includes firmware for low-latency sync and APIs for DAWs and game engines.

The company demonstrated prototype headphones that provide subtle, directional haptics aligned to low-frequency events and per-channel audio cues. Auralis emphasizes low power consumption and selectable intensity profiles for comfort and safety.

With an $11 million raise led by Maveron, Auralis will finalize hardware certifications, build licensing programs for headphone OEMs, and create SDKs for content creators to author tactile experiences. The funds also support partnerships with music producers and game audio teams.

Designers and audio engineers were intrigued by the expressive potential but cautioned about overuse. Auralis plans to roll out evaluation kits and authoring tools to help creators adopt tactile cues thoughtfully.