SensAble Ships 6,000th Touch-Enabled Device

Company attributes growth to surge in use of haptic feedback and 3D modeling, particularly for medical and dental markets.

"Haptics applications have moved into the mainstream, and our 2007 performance proved it," said Curt Rawley, CEO of SensAble Technologies. "We're seeing strong growth in medical and dental markets, where haptic feedback and 3D modeling are enabling many breakthrough applications such as surgical simulation for training, surgical planning, and modeling of patient-specific prosthetics and implants."

During 2007, SensAble reported that the company achieved record Q4 bookings and significantly expanded its customer base worldwide. Growth was driven by manufacturers seeking to shorten time to market through better product design and manufacturing processes; university research groups expanding into haptically enabled applications; and the commercialization of products incorporating haptics, such as surgical simulation and training.

The company also announced the expansion of its management team with three executive appointments: David Chen, chief technology officer; Joan Lockhart, vice-president of sales and marketing; and Mark Tatkow, vice-president of business development. SensAble also was granted five additional patents in 2007, bringing its portfolio to 32 patents awarded to date.

SensAble develops haptic devices that allow people to perform computer tasks with sensory feedback, such as practice laparoscopic surgery on a computer-driven simulator, sculpt a 3D computer model of a partial set of teeth, or help a veterinarian palpate a cow's fetus, as naturally as in real life. These devices provide force feedback -- pushing back on the user's hand -- as he/she interacts with a model or a computer screen, using their sense of touch to carve, tug, extrude, and manipulate the on-screen image. When physical models are needed, files created using SensAble's 3D modeling systems are output to 2D and 3D CAD applications, as well as a range of prototyping and manufacturing systems.