Leeds-based Uniphy has raised £3 million to scale its next-generation interface technology as it prepares for mass manufacturing.
The round was backed by existing investors NPIF II – Mercia Equity Finance (managed by Mercia Ventures) and Mercia’s own funds, reinforcing confidence in the company’s commercial trajectory.
Reinventing How We Interact With Cars and Devices
Founded in 2015 by microelectronics specialists David Lomas and David Dean, Uniphy is the company behind BeyondTouch®—a smart-surface platform that turns curved or flat plastic and glass into fully interactive control panels. The technology enables touch-based interaction without mechanical buttons or traditional screens.
As automakers shift away from touchscreen-heavy interiors in favour of safer, more tactile controls, BeyondTouch® offers a middle path: low-cost, durable, intuitive surfaces that work reliably even when wet. The system supports features such as haptics, gesture control and voice feedback, making it well suited for automotive interiors, kitchen appliances and marine environments.
CEO Jim Nicholas explains: “We spend our lives interacting with machines, yet many controls still feel clumsy or outdated. Our technology gives designers the freedom to create interfaces that feel natural and deliver a better human–machine experience.”
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Scaling Technology for Automotive and Consumer Markets
Uniphy has already completed successful trials with Hyundai and Tier-1 automotive supplier Grupo Antolin, who are evaluating BeyondTouch® for future vehicle platforms. The new investment will support development of an integrated chip to simplify adoption and allow the system to be miniaturised for mobile and portable devices.
About Uniphy
Uniphy develops BeyondTouch®, a patented smart-surface technology that transforms plastic or glass of any shape into touch or touchless interfaces. Delivering design flexibility, sustainability and advanced human–machine interaction features, BeyondTouch® offers a high-performance alternative to buttons and screens across automotive, consumer, and industrial applications.
