Obsidian Sensors, specializing in thermal imaging tech, has secured an investment from Taiwan’s Himax Technologies, a display driver and semiconductor provider. Together, they plan to create an enhanced thermal vision system that integrates Himax’s AI technology with Obsidian’s sensors to improve detection in demanding environments, aiming to enhance industrial, automotive, and security applications.
Obsidian crafts their sensors on a broad microelectromechanical systems platform, enabling cost-effective, high-volume production in mainstream flat panel foundries. Their existing investors include the likes of Qualcomm, Hyundai, and Innolux. The partnership is expected to advance Obsidian’s engineering efforts through Himax’s expertise in circuit design and image processing.
Himax’s investment coincides with Obsidian’s recent partnership announcement with Quanta Computer, a Taiwanese electronic hardware company. Together, they’re focusing on thermal imaging for cars, following new U.S> safety regulations from NHTSA. Quanta SVP Alan Chai highlights their work on merging visible and infrared camera tech to enhance safety systems like automatic braking. CEO of Obsidian, John Hong, remarks on the importance of affordable thermal imaging technology in advancing car safety without financial barriers.
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Established in 2001 with headquarters in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax provides CMOS image sensors and wafer-level optics for augmented reality devices, along with 3D sensing and ultra-low power AI image sensing technologies. Associated with Obsidian Sensors these two companies can really create and product, at terms, lower cost oriented thermal vision systems, integrating Himax’s artificial intelligence for AD vehicle.
