GelSight
Component
High-resolution tactile sensing and 3D surface metrology, invented at MIT and commercialised in 2011.
GelSight makes high-resolution tactile sensing and 3D surface analysis hardware: elastomeric, camera-based 'fingers' that image how a soft gel skin deforms on contact, turning touch into measurable geometry, force and texture. The technology was invented at MIT by Professor Edward Adelson and commercialised as GelSight in 2011. The company sells two lines - industrial metrology instruments for surface inspection and analysis, and robotic tactile sensors that give manipulators human-like touch for assembly and inspection. Customers span aerospace and defence, automotive, robotics, energy, forensics, additive manufacturing and research; the company also manufactures the DIGIT tactile sensor in partnership with Meta AI and was awarded a $728,000 federal grant to develop human-like tactile sensors for robots.
Research mapping
Physical AI / Perception & Sensing (L7) / Component
Evidence boundary
Original analysis and independent corroboration remain under development. Commercial scale and durable technical advantage remain under review.
What makes it defensible
Optical elastomeric tactile sensing - camera-based imaging of gel-skin deformation that yields metrology-grade 3D surface data and robotic touch from one technology platform.
Position in the stack: Sensing layer supplying both industrial metrology instruments and robot fingertips. Hard to copy because the imaging approach, calibration and accumulated touch datasets are proprietary, and the platform spans quality inspection and robotics rather than only one.
Who buys it
Named customers: U.S. Air Force (SBIR)
Founding team
Edward H. Adelson — Founder — MIT professor of Vision Science in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and CSAIL; invented the gel-based tactile imaging technology at MIT and founded GelSight in 2011
Kimo Johnson — Co-founder and Chief Science Officer — Co-founder of GelSight and its chief science officer
Janos Rohaly — Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer — Co-founder of GelSight and its chief technology officer
SourceFinancing detail
- Last round
- Later-stage VC / Series B ($10M, 2020)
Investors: Anzu Partners, Hexagon, MassVentures, Omega Funds, Scout Ventures
Mapped funds and investors
Direct relationships supported by published evidence.
Reported holdings as-of
No sourced relationships mapped yet.
Disclosed investment history
No sourced relationships mapped yet.
Showing up to four relationships in each group. ETF weights describe the fund’s portfolio, not ownership of this company. Private investment history does not establish current ownership.
Evidence & media
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GelSight awarded U.S. Air Force Phase II SBIR for compact tactile fingertips
What this source supports: USAF Phase II SBIR to develop a compact rugged tactile 'digital fingertip' sensor for dexterous robotic grasping, collaborating with Warner Robins Air Force Base.
What it does not establish: Company announcement — no contract value, delivery schedule, or fielded-system evidence in the post.
Source -
SBIR award 220027 — GelSight Nano (USAF Phase II)
What this source supports: Government record: USAF/DOD Phase II award, $1.25M, contract FA8571-26-C-0001, award year 2026; GelSight Nano sub-15mm image-based tactile fingertip, 50,000+ grasps, 50 fps, 15x15mm FoV.
What it does not establish: Award record only — does not show commercial deployment, sales, or revenue.
Source -
PitchBook profile: GelSight
What this source supports: PitchBook profile corroborating GelSight identity and later-stage VC / Series B ($10M, 2020), ~$30.1M total disclosed.
What it does not establish: Aggregated profile — valuation and customer detail gated.
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From Army Depot to Factory Floor: GelSight Modulus Reaches 100-Units Sold Milestone
What this source supports: Company PR: Modulus >100 units to commercial + DoD customers.
Source
Timeline
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Customer
TIME reports Boeing uses GelSight surface-metrology technology in aerospace manufacturing
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Product
GelSight Modulus named to TIME Best Inventions of 2026
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Product
GelSight Modulus surpasses 100 units sold to commercial + U.S. DoD customers
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Financing
Later-stage VC / Series B ($10M, 2020) — $30,100,000 total disclosed
Source