Sentons

About Sentons

Sentons was founded in 2011 by Dr. Jess Lee, Dr. Shih-Yuan Chen, and Dr. Sam Sheng, spinning out of the University of California, Berkeley. The company's inception is rooted in the founders' extensive backgrounds in engineering and technology; Dr. Lee, for instance, has a track record of founding and leading technology companies to successful acquisitions. Sentons specializes in developing advanced ultrasonic sensing technology, designed to transform the way users interact with their devices by turning any surface into a touch-sensitive interface.

The core of Sentons' offering is its SurfaceWave technology, which utilizes proprietary ultrasonics to detect touch and force inputs on a variety of materials, including metal, glass, and plastic. This technology is not limited to flat surfaces, allowing for the creation of virtual buttons and interactive zones on curved or unconventional device exteriors. For instance, their SNT8020 chip, which is as small as a grain of rice, enables phones to have virtualized power and volume buttons, enhancing durability by eliminating physical moving parts and improving water resistance. The system can also differentiate between various types of touch, such as taps, swipes, and variable force, even when the user is wearing gloves or when the surface is wet.

The business operates within the consumer electronics market, targeting device manufacturers as its primary clients. Sentons' revenue model is likely based on the sale of its ultrasonic sensor modules and processors, alongside licensing its proprietary technology and software to these original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company has demonstrated its technology in various applications, including gaming phones like the Asus ROG Phone and the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel, where its sensors create virtual shoulder buttons for an enhanced gaming experience. This capability allows for more immersive control without the need for additional hardware.