Eyeo, a new imec spin-off, raises €15 million seed round to give cameras perfect eyesight
On May 7, 2025, eyeo, a new imec spin-off, announced it has raised €15 million in seed funding, co-led by imec.xpand and Invest-NL, and joined by QBIC fund, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), and Brabant Development Agency (BOM).
Eyeo aims to enhance the imaging market for consumer, industrial, XR, and security applications by increasing the light sensitivity of image sensors. This development is intended to improve picture quality, color accuracy, resolution, and cost efficiency in smartphones and other devices. The €15 million raised will support evaluation kit development, preparation for scale manufacturing of an initial sensor product, and expansion of commercial partnerships to bring this imaging technology to market.
Decades-old color filter technology throws away 70% of light, crippling sensor performance
For decades, image sensors have utilized red, green, and blue color filters on pixels to produce color images or videos. However, color filters obstruct a significant amount of incoming light, which limits the sensitivity of the camera. Additionally, they restrict the scaling of pixel size below approximately 0.5 microns. These issues have hindered advancements in camera technology, affecting both image quality and sensor efficiency. In smartphone cameras, manufacturers have addressed this limitation by increasing the sensor size to capture more light, which enhances low-light performance but also results in larger cameras. Compact, high-sensitivity image sensors are important for slimmer smartphones and new applications such as robotics and AR/VR devices, where size, power efficiency, and image quality are important.
Color-splitting via vertical waveguides
Eyeo has developed an innovative image sensor that removes the need for traditional color filters, enhancing sensitivity without increasing the sensor size. Using vertical waveguide-based technology to divide light into colors, these sensors capture all incoming light, tripling sensitivity. This is particularly useful in low-light conditions. Unlike traditional filters, Eyeo’s technology allows pixels to receive full-color data, doubling resolution and producing sharper images for precise applications like computational photography, machine vision, and spatial computing.
Jeroen Hoet, CEO of eyeo: “Eyeo is fundamentally redefining image sensing by eliminating decades-old limitations. Capturing all incoming light and drastically improving resolution is just the start—this technology paves the way for entirely new applications in imaging, from ultra-compact sensors to enhanced low-light performance, ultra-high resolution, and maximum image quality. We’re not just improving existing systems; we’re creating a new standard for the future of imaging.”
Market Readiness and Roadmap
Eyeo has already formed strategic partnerships with leading image sensor manufacturers and foundries to support the successful commercialization of its technology. The €15 million seed funding will be allocated to further enhance the current camera sensor designs, optimize the waveguide technology for scalable production, and accelerate the development of prototypes for evaluation purposes. By collaborating closely with industry leaders, Eyeo aims to introduce its advanced camera sensors to a broad spectrum of applications, including smartphones, VR glasses, and other compact devices utilizing color cameras. The first evaluation kits are projected to be available for selected customers within the next two years.
About eyeo
Eyeo, based in Eindhoven (NL) and Leuven (BE), is revolutionizing imaging with nanophotonic color-splitting technology. This innovation allows image sensors to capture 100% of incoming light, surpassing the 30% limit of traditional color filters. By guiding photons directly to pixels, Eyeo ensures full light sensitivity and true color fidelity, even in tough conditions. Compatible with any CMOS sensor, this technology also breaks resolution barriers, enabling sub-0.5-micron pixels for high-quality imaging in XR, industrial, security, and mobile applications.
About imec
Imec is a leading research center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. With a team of over 6,000 employees, it specializes in semiconductor scaling, silicon photonics, AI, beyond 5G communications, and sensing technologies. Imec collaborates with industry leaders, tech companies, academia, and knowledge centers globally. Headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, it has sites in Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, the USA, and representation across three continents. In 2024, imec’s revenue totaled 1.034 billion euros.
DVN comments
imec says that the technology is poised to elevate high-end camera performance, delivering higher signal-to-noise ratio, enhanced colour quality with unprecedented spatial resolution. Designing next-generation CMOS imagers requires striking a balance between collecting all incoming photons, achieving a resolution down to photon size or diffraction limit, and accurately recording the light colour.
onsemi Hyperlux Sensors Selected for Subaru’s Next-Generation AI-Integrated EyeSight System
onsemi announced recently it will be the primary supplier of image sensors for Subaru’s next-generation EyeSight stereo-camera front sensing system in future vehicle models. onsemi’s advanced Hyperlux AR0823AT image sensor will serve as the “eyes” of the system, tailored to capture the critical visual data required to feed into Subaru’s stereo-camera enabled artificial intelligence algorithm that will allow the car to make more accurate driving decisions and improve overall vehicle safety.
“Capturing precise and reliable visual data is paramount to the success of AI-enabled driver assistance systems and significantly improves overall vehicle safety,” said Hassane El-Khoury, president and CEO, onsemi. “The combination of high-performance imaging and compliance with key safety standards in onsemi’s Hyperlux image sensors will ensure Subaru’s next-generation system can interpret the driving environment and make accurate driving decisions.”
The Hyperlux AR0823AT features a whole pixel design, capturing clear images regardless of lighting conditions, and includes special controls to ensure the two sensors of the EyeSight stereo-camera capture images synchronously. This is essential for stereo vision systems that mimic human vision and enables the system to discern depth as well as the relative size and distance of objects in the vehicle’s path. Additionally, the sensor’s High Dynamic Range (HDR) allows for both brightly lit and shadowed areas of a scene to be captured in detail to ensure that the AI-enabled system can make accurate decisions.
“Subaru is committed to achieving the goal of ‘zero fatal road accidents in 2030*.’ We regard onsemi, a market leader in automotive image sensing technology, as a partner who shares our vision and dedication in pursuing safety, and we look forward to accelerating our collaborative efforts while leveraging our respective strengths,” said Eiji Shibata, executive officer and chief digital car officer (CDCO), Subaru Corporation. “To realize our vision, we will continue to enhance the performance of our next-generation AI-integrated EyeSight through the use of advanced image sensors such as the AR0823AT.”
The Hyperlux AR0823AT is also equipped with functional safety features that meet Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) C standards, to uphold the safety and reliability of the driver assistance system. These features actively monitor the sensor’s functionality, and, if an issue is detected that could compromise the system’s accuracy, they can enable actions such as resetting the camera or alerting the driver.
DVN comments
onsemi’s Hyperlux AR0823AT image sensors chosen for Subaru’s new AI-integrated EyeSight system highlight the importance of advanced imaging technology in automotive safety. Investments in tailored imaging solutions like the Hyperlux AR0823AT offer a competitive advantage as vehicles increasingly rely on AI-driven features.
