Elliptic Labs
Corporate brand
UnclaimedNorwegian software company developing AI-based ultrasound virtual sensors for smartphones, computers, and other connected devices.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Elliptic Labs, formally Elliptic Laboratories ASA, is a Norwegian technology company headquartered in Oslo. It develops software-defined sensor systems that combine ultrasound, artificial intelligence, and sensor fusion to provide functions traditionally associated with dedicated hardware sensors. Its technology is intended for smartphones, laptops, Internet of Things products, and automotive applications. The company originated in 2006 as a spin-off from a research project at the University of Oslo. Its initial work focused on using ultrasound and signal processing to detect touchless gestures and the presence of people around mobile devices. Instead of requiring a separate physical sensing component for every function, Elliptic Labs' software interprets signals captured through existing device hardware and converts them into capabilities such as proximity detection, gesture recognition, and human-presence awareness. A central application is virtual proximity sensing in smartphones. The software can recognize when a user brings a handset close to the ear and can then turn off the display or disable touch input, helping prevent unintended commands during a call. Other applications include touchless interaction, presence detection, screen-sharing controls, and device-aware power or privacy features. In laptops, the platform can support functions such as detecting a user's approach, recognizing whether someone is present, or enabling interaction with nearby devices. Elliptic Labs commercializes its technology primarily through licensing and integration agreements with device manufacturers and technology partners. The company has worked with PC vendors including Lenovo, whose ThinkPad products have used Elliptic Labs capabilities for functions such as Smart Share and tap-based interaction. Its platform has also been associated with mobile-device manufacturers including VIVO and Huawei. The business model places emphasis on high-volume production deployments rather than direct consumer sales of standalone hardware. The company expanded its ecosystem through semiconductor relationships. In 2022, it announced a partnership with AMD intended to support use of its virtual-sensor platform in laptops based on AMD Ryzen processors. In 2025, it announced a collaboration with Intel aimed at integration with Intel Core Ultra systems and Intel Evo platforms. These relationships are designed to make Elliptic Labs' software easier to deploy across OEM device programs. Elliptic Labs went public in October 2020 and was subsequently moved from the Nordic Growth Market and Euronext Growth Oslo venues to the main market of Oslo Børs in 2022. It maintains its headquarters in Oslo and has additional offices in San Francisco, Shanghai, Taiwan, and Japan. Co-founder Laila Danielsen has served as the company's chief executive for an extended period. The company describes its platform as being deployed in more than 500 million devices worldwide, although this dossier does not independently verify that figure.
History
Elliptic Labs began in 2006 as a research project connected with the University of Oslo. The project explored whether ultrasound, signal processing, and software algorithms could give mobile devices a more natural way to understand nearby movement and users without relying entirely on dedicated hardware sensors. This research led to the formation of Elliptic Laboratories and established the technical direction that continues to define the company. The early focus was touchless interaction. Elliptic Labs developed methods for interpreting ultrasonic signals so that a device could recognize gestures in three dimensions and detect the presence of a person nearby. These capabilities were particularly relevant to smartphones and other compact consumer electronics, where reducing component count, conserving space, and simplifying industrial design can be valuable. Over time, the company broadened its work from gesture control to virtual sensors for proximity, presence, and device-awareness functions. During the 2010s and early 2020s, Elliptic Labs concentrated on turning its research technology into software suitable for series production. Rather than selling a standalone consumer accessory, it pursued licensing and integration with original equipment manufacturers and technology suppliers. This approach allowed its software to be incorporated into products such as smartphones and laptops. One important use case was virtual proximity sensing: a handset can detect when it is close to a user's ear and respond by switching off the display or disabling touch input. The company also developed applications for personal computers. In laptops, its software can identify whether a person is approaching or present, support touchless interaction, and enable device-to-device features. Lenovo and other PC vendors integrated Elliptic Labs capabilities into selected notebook programs, including functions associated with ThinkPad products and Smart Share. The company positioned these deployments as examples of how virtual sensing can add features without requiring a separate physical sensor for every task. Elliptic Labs became a publicly traded company in October 2020. In 2022, its shares were moved from the Nordic Growth Market and Euronext Growth Oslo markets to the main market of Oslo Børs. The listing transition marked a later stage in the company's development from university-originated research venture to an established technology supplier serving high-volume device manufacturers. Partnerships with semiconductor companies became an additional route to market. In 2022, Elliptic Labs announced work with AMD to support its platform in laptops based on AMD Ryzen processors. In 2025, it announced a collaboration with Intel directed at Intel Core Ultra systems and Intel Evo platforms. Such relationships can help device makers integrate software sensors earlier in product development and can increase the range of processor platforms on which the company's technology is available. Elliptic Labs is headquartered in Oslo and has additional offices in San Francisco, Shanghai, Taiwan, and Japan. Its commercial focus spans smartphones, laptops, IoT devices, and potential automotive applications. The company has stated that its technology is used in more than 500 million devices globally, including products from Chinese manufacturers such as VIVO and Huawei. The platform's underlying proposition is to use software, AI, ultrasound, and sensor fusion to deliver sensing functions with less dependence on dedicated components. Laila Danielsen, a co-founder, has remained a central figure in the company's leadership.
- 2025
Intel collaboration
[1]The company announced a collaboration with Intel focused on Intel Core Ultra systems and Intel Evo platforms.
- 2022
Transfer to the main Oslo Stock Exchange market
[1]The company moved from the Nordic Growth Market and Euronext Growth Oslo venues to the main market of Oslo Børs.
- 2022
AMD partnership
[1]Elliptic Labs announced a partnership with AMD to support deployment of its virtual-sensor platform in AMD Ryzen laptops.
- 2020
Initial public listing
[1]Elliptic Labs went public in October 2020.
- 2006
Company founded from University of Oslo research
[1]Elliptic Labs was established as a spin-off from a University of Oslo research project focused on ultrasound-based touchless interaction and sensing.
Products and positioning
A software-defined sensing company that replaces or supplements dedicated device sensors with AI, ultrasound, and sensor-fusion technology.
Virtual sensor software platform
AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform
Elliptic Labs' core software platform combines ultrasound, artificial intelligence, and sensor fusion to create sensing functions without requiring a separate physical sensor for every application. It analyzes signals in a device's surroundings to identify gestures, human presence, proximity, and other contextual events. The platform is designed for integration into smartphones, laptops, IoT products, and potentially automotive systems through licensing and OEM agreements.
Smartphone sensing software
Virtual Proximity Sensor
The virtual proximity capability detects when a smartphone is close to a user's face or ear. A handset can use that information to switch off its display or disable touch input during a call, reducing accidental touches. The function illustrates Elliptic Labs' broader approach of implementing conventional sensor behavior through software, ultrasonic analysis, and device hardware that may already be present.
Human-machine interaction software
Touchless Gesture Recognition
This capability uses ultrasonic sensing and software interpretation to recognize three-dimensional hand movements without direct contact with a screen or surface. It was among the company's early application areas and helped establish its focus on touchless control for mobile devices and other electronics.
Presence-sensing software
Human Presence Detection
Human-presence detection identifies whether a person is near or using a device. In laptops and related products, this can support privacy, power management, wake and sleep behavior, and other context-sensitive experiences. The function is delivered through Elliptic Labs' virtual-sensor platform rather than a standalone sensor module.
Brand decisions
2025
Intel platform collaborationOtherBackground
Elliptic Labs sought to broaden deployment of its virtual-sensor software across major PC processor platforms.
Action taken
The company announced collaboration with Intel targeting Intel Core Ultra systems and Intel Evo platforms.
Aftermath
The collaboration created another route for OEM integration in modern laptop designs.
2022
Move to the main market of Oslo BørsStrategyBackground
Elliptic Labs had been traded on the Nordic Growth Market and Euronext Growth Oslo venues.
Action taken
The company transferred its listing to the main market of the Oslo Stock Exchange.
Aftermath
The move placed the company on Oslo Børs' main market while it continued expanding OEM and semiconductor partnerships.
2022
AMD ecosystem partnershipOtherBackground
Broader processor-platform support can make virtual-sensor software easier for laptop manufacturers to adopt.
Action taken
Elliptic Labs announced cooperation with AMD for use of its platform in AMD Ryzen laptops.
Aftermath
The agreement expanded the company's semiconductor ecosystem and laptop integration opportunities.
2020
Public-market listingStrategyBackground
After developing its sensing technology through research and OEM integration, Elliptic Labs entered the public markets in October 2020.
Action taken
The company completed a public listing.
Aftermath
The listing preceded the company's transfer to the main market of Oslo Børs in 2022.
Recent events
Reported
Elliptic Labs sensor selected for four Xiaomi Redmi models[2]
Elliptic Labs announced that Xiaomi selected its INNER BEAUTY AI Virtual Proximity Sensor for the upcoming global launch of four Redmi Note models: Note 11, Note 11S, Note 11 Pro, and Note 11 Pro 5G.
Reported
Elliptic Labs launches virtual proximity sensor on Redmi Note 11 phones[3]
Elliptic Labs launched its AI Virtual Proximity Sensor INNER BEAUTY on Xiaomi's Redmi Note 11 and Note 11 Pro smartphones, which are powered by MediaTek chipsets.
Reported
Elliptic Labs sensor platform featured on Black Shark 4S smartphones[4]
Elliptic Labs said its AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform is being brought to Black Shark's Black Shark 4S and 4S Pro smartphones, which use its INNER BEAUTY proximity sensor. The announcement says the contract had been announced previously.
Reported
Xiaomi announces global launch of Mi 11[5]
Xiaomi announced the global launch of its flagship Mi 11 smartphone, featuring Elliptic Labs' INNER BEAUTY AI Virtual Proximity Sensor.
Reported
Elliptic Labs signs proof-of-concept agreement with an Asian laptop/PC manufacturer[6]
Elliptic Labs announced that it had signed a proof-of-concept contract with an unnamed large Asian laptop/PC manufacturer to implement its AI Virtual Security Sensor and AI Virtual Gesture Sensor on laptops.
Reported
Elliptic Labs launches Virtual Security Sensor[7]
Elliptic Labs launched the Virtual Security Sensor, a presence-detection solution for laptop security that uses a laptop’s existing speaker and microphone rather than dedicated hardware sensors.
Reported
Elliptic Labs introduces ultrasonic sensing capabilities[8]
Elliptic Labs introduced new ultrasonic sensing capabilities for smart devices using Texas Instruments' TAS5825M audio amplifier technology, enabling presence detection and gesture-based features through its software platform.
Sources8 sources
- 1Elliptic Labsen.wikipedia.org
- 2Elliptic Labs传感器获选用于四款小米Redmi机型sharewise.com
- 3Elliptic Labs在Redmi Note 11系列手机推出虚拟距离传感器sharewise.com
- 4Elliptic Labs传感器平台应用于黑鲨4S系列手机finanznachrichten.de
- 5小米宣布Mi 11全球发布finanznachrichten.de
- 6Elliptic Labs与一家亚洲笔记本电脑/PC制造商签署概念验证协议finanznachrichten.de
- 7Elliptic Labs推出Virtual Security Sensorfinanznachrichten.de
- 8Elliptic Labs推出超声波感测功能finanznachrichten.de
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