Uniphy, a UK-based company developing smart surface technology as an alternative to traditional touchscreens and mechanical controls, has raised $3.9 million (£3 million) in new funding to accelerate development and prepare its platform for commercial scale.
The round was led by Mercia Ventures through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, with participation from other existing investors. This investment brings Uniphy’s total funding to more than £13 million.
What Uniphy Builds
Uniphy creates touch, pressure, and gesture-sensitive interfaces that are embedded directly into molded plastic or glass surfaces.
These smart surfaces are designed to replace flat touchscreens and physical buttons in a wide range of products, offering a seamless and intuitive human-machine interface.
How the Technology Works
The company’s technology allows users to interact through physical touch, finger pressure, or proximity.
It remains functional in wet or high-moisture environments and supports haptic feedback.
Because the sensing system can be integrated into curved or three-dimensional surfaces, manufacturers have design flexibility that is not possible with conventional screens or mechanical controls.
Applications Across Industries
Uniphy’s platform is being evaluated for use across multiple sectors.
In automotive, the technology can replace dashboard touchscreens and buttons with molded, backlit control surfaces that drivers can operate without looking away from the road.
In marine environments, the surfaces offer reliability where wet conditions interfere with traditional displays.
In home appliances, sealed and easy-to-clean surfaces are increasingly preferred.
The technology also has potential applications in medical devices, industrial equipment, gaming, and consumer electronics, especially because it works through gloves, moisture, and dirt.
Details of the Funding Round
The new capital will support development of an integrated chip that combines Uniphy’s sensing and processing functions into a compact module.
The company also plans further miniaturization to enable broader use across consumer products.
The funding will help Uniphy move from prototype deployments to more scalable production-ready solutions.
Industry Collaborations and Pilots
Uniphy has completed collaborations and trials with several manufacturers, including Hyundai Motor Group and Grupo Antolin.
In these projects, the company’s technology has been tested for freeform automotive control panels and other vehicle interior components.
Additional pilot programs are underway in appliance, medical, and marine categories as manufacturers evaluate smart surface integration into future product lines.
What Comes Next for Uniphy
With its latest funding secured, Uniphy plans to advance its integrated chip development, expand industry partnerships, and position its smart surface platform for wider commercial adoption.
The company’s long-term roadmap includes deeper integration into automotive systems, consumer electronics, and other high-volume product categories.
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