Touchwaves: wearable haptic technology to enhance human performance
Being a fighter pilot is both mentally and physically demanding. It requires rapid decision-making under extreme pressure. Physical touch can help regulate breathing and the nervous system. TNO spin-off Touchwaves has developed a wearable solution that supports pilots in high-stress situations by harnessing the power of haptics. Founder and CEO Charlotte Kjellander explains the technology behind the innovation and how the imec.istart.nl accelerator helped the company accelerate its growth.
In stressful situations, many of our senses become impaired. Sounds fade, vision narrows, and it can become difficult to find the right words. Yet the somatic sense, our sense of touch, continues to function.
“That’s what makes it so powerful,” says Charlotte. “It makes sense to use that system to help stop hyperventilation, for example. The challenge is understanding how to use it effectively.”
For pilots, this can be life-saving. Every year, fighter jet accidents occur during training exercises, often as a result of human error.
“Preventing these accidents saves lives, both those of pilots and civilians,” Charlotte explains. “It also reduces enormous financial losses, as these aircraft are incredibly expensive. Our wearable solution helps pilots perform when it matters most.”
FAST COMMUNICATION WITH THE BRAIN
The vest developed by Touchwaves combines textile-based biosensors with haptic feedback technology to monitor vital signs and provide real-time breathing guidance.
“We have integrated thin, flexible electronics into clothing that can be incorporated into operational pilot gear or worn discreetly under everyday clothing,” Charlotte explains. Smiling, she adds that she wears one herself every day.
“The small vibration motors simulate human touch. They are positioned on the body to make use of fast communication pathways to the brain. This creates an intuitive translation of touch-based information into brain function without increasing cognitive load. Instead, it helps users take deeper breaths, increasing oxygen levels in the blood and enabling better decision-making in stressful situations.”
ACCELERATING DEEP TECH INNOVATION
As a deep tech startup, Touchwaves is transforming cutting-edge research into practical applications for highly demanding environments. To accelerate its journey from technology development to market adoption, the company joined the imec.istart.nl accelerator program.
“As a startup, you’re dealing with multiple challenges at the same time: product development, market validation, fundraising, and building the right network,” says Charlotte. “The imec.istart.nl program gave us access to experienced coaches, entrepreneurs, and investors who understand what it takes to build a deep tech company. That guidance helped us make better decisions faster.”
Beyond coaching, Touchwaves benefited from access to the broader imec.istart ecosystem of experts, partners, and investors.
“For any startup, it’s incredibly valuable to learn from people who have already gone through similar growth phases. That not only accelerates your development, but also helps you identify opportunities much earlier.”
GAINING MOMENTUM IN DEFENCE
In 2025, the team decided to focus fully on the defence sector. Since then, Touchwaves has built significant momentum and secured additional funding.
“We’re expanding our team,” says Charlotte. “This will be an exciting year as we launch validation projects with research centres and NATO air force units. We’re also working with defence manufacturers to integrate our technology into official pilot uniforms.”
According to Charlotte, the need for technology that supports people in demanding environments will only continue to grow.
“The technology around us is evolving incredibly fast. Machines are becoming more powerful than ever, often creating critical operational conditions for humans. While our biology remains the same, we need to learn how to use it more effectively. That’s exactly what we focus on. People need to be able to take care of themselves, stay healthy, and perform at their best when it matters most. Touchwaves provides the tools to make that possible.”
ABOUT TOUCHWAVES
Touchwaves is a TNO spin-off based in Eindhoven and founded by Charlotte Kjellander and Martin Romero. The company develops wearable haptic technology that helps people perform better in stressful and mission-critical environments. Touchwaves is part of the imec.istart.nl portfolio and has also received funding from the Brabant Startup Fund, Joanna Invests, NWO Take-off (Phase 2), and SecFund. The company won the European Women TechEU Award and was selected for the prestigious European defence accelerator EUDIS.
