In what suggests a big bet on the potentially touchless future for computing, Apple is reportedly in talks to acquire Israel-based PrimeSense, the company that worked with Microsoft to develop the sensor in the first-generation Kinect controller.

According to Israel-based newspaper Calcalist, negotiations between Apple and PrimeSense took place in recent weeks.

A price tag in the region of US$280m has been suggested but negotiations have been described as in the “early stages.”

An Apple delegation is believed to have visited PrimeSense in early July.

PrimeSense has raised US$85m to date from investors including Gemini Israel, Genesis Foundation and American venture capital firm Canaan.

The development follows Apple’s acquisition of flash chip firm Anobit in 2011 for US$500m.

PrimeSense has been up and running since 2005. The company’s founders are Aviad Maizels, Alexander Shpunt, Ophir Sharon, Tamir Berliner and Dima Rais.

The fabless semiconductor company’s technology powers 20m devices around the world.