HapSense: Quantifying Touch to Accelerate Skincare Innovation

In a groundbreaking collaboration, A*STAR, Procter & Gamble (P&G), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) co-developed HapSense, Singapore’s first wearable skin sensor that objectively measures tactile sensations such as friction and pressure. Shaped like a signet ring and worn on the fingertip, HapSense revolutionises the way scientists assess skincare product performance, offering 10x faster analysis at a fraction of the traditional cost.

The device represents a significant leap in precision testing, replacing subjective consumer feedback with high-fidelity, real-time data and pushing the boundaries of cosmetic R&D.

The objectives

Eliminate Subjectivity in Skin Feel Assessment

HapSense replaces traditional panel testing and surveys with quantifiable data on pressure and friction, captured in real time - enabling more accurate product evaluation

Accelerate Product Development Cycles

By shortening analysis timelines by up to 10 times, HapSense significantly speeds up the skincare product development process

Enable Big Data Insights Across Years of Product Use

The platform allows researchers to collect consistent data across multiple products and years, making it possible to train algorithms and personalise skincare regimes by demographic or skin type

The impact

Unveiled during the 10th anniversary of the P&G Singapore Innovation Centre, HapSense showcases the power of public-private partnerships in driving next-generation product innovation.

The collaboration is a culmination of nearly a decade of joint research funded under a Master Research Collaboration Agreement (MRCA) between P&G, A*STAR, and NTU. The device exemplifies how Singapore's innovation ecosystem is translating R&D into commercial-grade technologies with global relevance.

With its wearable, portable design and multidimensional sensing capabilities, HapSense is poised to disrupt how industries understand and optimise the human sense of touch.