DESIGN & PRODUCTS COMPUTER VISION
Leveraging the real world as a dynamic display, with light
By Julien Happich
Californian startup, Lightform announced it has secured a
$5 million round of funding led by Lux Capital, with other
investors including Dolby Family Ventures, CrunchFund,
Comet Labs, Presence Capital, and Anorak Ventures.
The startup which emerged from stealth last March when securing
$2.6 million in seed funding, has developed a WiFi-connected
computer specifically designed for projected augmented
reality. The dual camera device leverages computer vision algorithms
and connects to any video projector to 3D map objects
in a room and then drive the projector to create inspiring light
scenes on target objects tracked in real time.
Accompanying desktop software, Lightform Creator, lets designers
easily create magical AR effects for their environments,
allowing users to easily map digital video content onto 3D
objects and spaces for a dynamic augmented reality display to
be experienced by anyone present in the room. This type of AR
eliminates the need for headsets or phones, allowing viewers to
have unobstructed, shared AR experiences.
Previously, the cost and complexity of creating projected AR
has limited the technology to high-budget projects at theme
parks, concerts, and events, but the startup aims to democratize
projection mapping.
Lightform has started manufacturing its first production units
and plans to use the $5M round to finance the first manufacturing
run.
“There’s been a lot of undelivered hype in the AR/VR space,
so we want to ensure we can ship a product to our customers
and deliver on our promises.” says Brett Jones, Lightform’s
CEO. “Given the skepticism around AR vaporware, we want
to make it clear that Lightform is real and being used for real
applications. Funding the development with this new capital
allows us to finalize our product before we start selling it, not
the other way around.” Lightform is currently alpha testing with
select partners, and will be available to order next year. The
device will cost under $1000, and will have an optional professional
software subscription. The company is also actively hiring
for multiple roles building tools for creative people.
Startup taps ARM computer vision for deep learning skills
By Nick Flaherty
Cambridge imaging technology startup Spectral Edge has
appointed the former R&D director of ARM’s computer
vision team as its new Chief Technology Officer.
Dr Ilya Romanenko played a key role in R&D leadership for
12 years at image sensor designer Apical
and after the company was acquired by
ARM in 2016 he became R&D Director for
ARM’s computer vision team.
He wants to combine Spectral Edge’s
proven Phusion image processing technology
with a new approach based on Deep
Learning for a new range of imaging technology
for smartphones.
“Spectral Edge is built on impressive fundamental
technology, which sits at the intersection
of the image processing and computer
vision fields, meaning I can use my
knowledge and expertise in both to move
the company forward,” said Romanenko.
“It is already delivering significant benefits
to companies in the broadcast market, and I am confident that
working with the team we can bring this technology to life, particularly
within products in the mobile sector, improving the user
experience and bringing a new quality to existing products.”
His appointment follows that of new CEO Rhodri Thomas,
who joined from SwiftKey/Microsoft in
February 2017. The company is a spinout of
the Colour and Vision Group at University of
East Anglia (UEA) and uses patented image
fusion technology which can combine infrared
and thermal data in real-time on smartphones
and other consumer electronics, to
enhance detail and aid visual accessibility.
“Ilya’s appointment is a further major
step in Spectral Edge’s growth, bringing
world-class R&D leadership and experience
to our team,” said Thomas. “Image processing
is now a vital part of differentiation in
smartphone development and I’m delighted
to welcome Ilya on board as we develop our
IP and support our customers in delivering
market-leading visual experiences to their consumers.”
36 News December 2017 www.eenewseurope.com
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