SiLC Technologies, a trailblazer in LiDAR technology, has recently announced an additional $25 million in funding, propelling its total funding to an impressive $56 million. This significant investment comes on the heels of SiLC’s successful launch of the FMCW LiDAR-based Eyeonic Vision System, designed to bridge the artificial intelligence gap in machine vision.
About SiLC Technologies
SiLC Technologies has emerged as a frontrunner in LiDAR technology, specializing in on-chip FMCW LiDAR that boasts competitive sensor performance, chip integration, and manufacturing expertise. With a mission to enable machines to perceive and understand their surroundings akin to humans, SiLC focuses on providing vision detection capabilities ranging from short distances to over 1 km.
New Strategic Participants
SiLC’s recent funding round attracted new strategic participants, including industry leaders Hokuyo Automatic, Hankook & Company, and ROHM Semiconductor. These companies, with a focus on industrial, robotics, and mobility vision, join SiLC’s esteemed roster of investors, including Epson, Yamato, UMC, Sony, Dell Technologies Capital, and Alter Venture Partners.
About the Funding
The funds raised will be instrumental in expanding production to support the design wins for SiLC’s Eyeonic Vision solutions. Additionally, SiLC aims to channel the funding towards continued product development, fostering application deployments in crucial sectors such as mobility, robotics, smart cameras, security, and other leading markets.
Key Advantages of SiLC’s Technology
SiLC’s on-chip FMCW LiDAR technology stands out for its sensor performance, chip integration, and manufacturing prowess. Sumio Utsunomiya, COO of Epson X Investment Corp., emphasizes its competitiveness, anticipating applications in diverse industries, including industrial robots, autonomous vehicles, ADAS, and AR/VR wearable consumer devices.
Vision Beyond Human Capabilities
SiLC’s mission revolves around equipping machines with vision capabilities that surpass human abilities. Dr. Mehdi Asghari, SiLC’s CEO and founder, expresses excitement over the growing support from investors and customers, emphasizing the company’s commitment to advancing machine vision across various applications.
Application Across Industries
SiLC’s technology is positioned to revolutionize various industries, including industrial robots, autonomous vehicles, ADAS, and AR/VR wearable consumer devices. Dr. Jose Pozo, CTO of Optica, sees the combination of silicon photonics and FMCW LiDAR as a key enabler for the miniaturization of 3D sensors and the widespread integration of LiDAR technology in electronic devices.
Conclusion
SiLC Technologies‘ latest funding milestone underscores the industry’s recognition of its groundbreaking technology. With a focus on advancing machine vision capabilities, SiLC is well-positioned to bring about transformative changes in diverse sectors, fueling its march toward making advanced machine vision accessible across a broader range of applications.
FAQs
What is FMCW LiDAR, and how does it differ from traditional LiDAR technology?
FMCW LiDAR, or Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave LiDAR, differs from traditional LiDAR by using continuous laser beams with varying frequencies. This allows for more precise and detailed measurements, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from short distances to over 1 km.
How will the new funding benefit SiLC’s future initiatives?
The additional funds will be used to expand production, support design wins for the Eyeonic Vision solutions, and contribute to ongoing product development. This investment is crucial for furthering SiLC’s application deployments in mobility, robotics, smart cameras, security, and other key markets.
What distinguishes SiLC’s on-chip FMCW LiDAR technology in the market?
SiLC’s on-chip FMCW LiDAR technology is competitive due to its superior sensor performance, chip integration, and manufacturing know-how. This technology is expected to find applications in industrial robots, autonomous vehicles, ADAS, AR/VR wearable consumer devices, and other industries in the future.
