FrameLab raises $15M to launch interactive prototyping hardware for tangible UX testing

Design · 4 min read

FrameLab announced $15 million in financing to scale manufacturing and support the launch of TouchBench, a compact prototyping platform that simulates tactile surfaces and programmable haptic feedback for usability labs.

TouchBench pairs modular surface panels with an API that allows designers to script friction, texture, and localized vibrations to mimic materials and mechanical responses. The device is intended to shorten iteration loops for physical product experiences.

The funding will expand production capacity, establish rental programs for agencies, and integrate TouchBench with motion capture and video annotation tools for richer usability studies.

Design researchers who tested the product lauded its ability to uncover tactile issues that static prototypes miss, such as unexpected sensory cues and ergonomic misalignments that affect user satisfaction.