CES 2026: HapWare ALEYE Wearable Assistive Tech for Nonverbal Communication

Allison Sheridan interviews Jack Walters, CEO and Cofounder of HapWare, about their wearable device called ALEYE, designed to help blind and neurodiverse users interpret nonverbal communication. Jack explains that the system combines AI, haptic feedback, and the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses to detect facial expressions, gestures, and social cues in real time. Those cues are then translated into vibrations on a wristband in less than a quarter of a second. During the demo, Allison tries on the wristband while different haptic patterns represented actions and emotions such as smiling, waving, nodding, surprise, and handshakes. The vibrations used directional movement and intensity to mimic the feeling of the gesture itself, allowing the wearer to distinguish different cues through touch alone. Jack explains that users can learn about seven haptic cues in roughly five minutes, although the system currently supports more than 30 patterns. The design was developed through direct feedback from blind and neurodiverse communities, focusing on the gestures and emotional signals that users found most important in everyday interactions. Jack also describes how the technology could benefit autistic users who may struggle to interpret facial expressions or emotional tone despite being fully sighted. He emphasized that the device is intended to provide information and context rather than direct instruction, helping users better understand social interactions independently. Jack announces that preorders for ALEYE had just opened, with the first 1,000 units planned for shipment later in the year. The wristband was priced at $359, with an optional subscription tier for advanced AI features. The interview setting is the CES show floor at the Venetian Expo and Convention Center. Learn more at https://www.hapware.com/ Check out the NosillaCast Podcast at https://www.podfeet.com/