3D eye tracking startup Eyeware closes its first round of CHF 1.9M in venture funding. Expert in computer vision, Eyeware develops software that enables consumer devices, cars, and robots with 3D cameras to sense and analyze users’ attention.

The Swiss deep-tech startup Eyeware announced today the closing of its seed financing round of 1.9M CHF ($1.9M). Eyeware develops 3D eye tracking software for depth sensing enabled consumer devices. The seed round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), in partnership with TRUMPF Venture GmbH, Swiss Startup Group, and Zurich Kantonalbank.

Eyeware является дочерним предприятием Idiap Research Institute и EPFL. Компания Eyeware Tech SA, созданная в сентябре 2016 года, сотрудничала с несколькими промышленными партнерами для создания прототипов и разработки инновационных приложений для отслеживания взгляда. Одним из публично представленных проектов является BionicWorkplace: концепция футуристического фабричного рабочего места, содержащего роботизированную руку для совместной работы, разработанная немецкой корпорацией Festo и представленная на Hannover Messe 2018.

More recently, Eyeware technology was presented as part of an automotive solution during CES 2019. Eyeware software can use autograde time-of-flight cameras to estimate the attention of drivers for in-cabin monitoring and infotainment systems. The proposed system can reduce the number of road accidents caused by drivers who lose attention at the wheel.

The Eyeware team will use the capital to bring the 3D eye tracking development kit ready for integration into consumer applications. Eyeware is also looking to expand its corporate partnerships in the US and China.

Speaking about the investment, Dr. Kenneth Funes, Founder & CEO of Eyeware, said:

“Our vision is to enable communication with machines naturally and intuitively, just like you would with a friend standing in front of you. Eye tracking and attention sensing is a game-changing technology for human-machine communication, as it will make interaction with our devices faster, more intuitive, and more accessible.

“Eyeware technology is the result of intensive research, and we are confident to be opening the doors for exciting new opportunities in eye tracking applications for daily use. We have been extremely fortunate to receive the support of a well-connected and experienced group of investors that shares our vision and is committed to working with us to achieve it.”

Аксель Нич, менеджер по инвестициям в HTGF, сказал об инвестициях в Eyeware:

“Eyeware’s revolutionary approach to enabling attention understanding in industrial and consumer applications brings state-of-the-art technology to a next level. We strongly believe that the extraordinary team around Kenneth will be able to change the landscape of human-machine interaction. HTGF is very happy to be part of this journey.”

Д-р Дитер Крафт, управляющий директор TRUMPF Venture и член правления Eyeware, также прокомментировал:

“Attention sensing by eye tracking is the missing link in multimodal human-machine interaction. We are delighted to support the Eyeware team and help to bring the product to market.”

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ОБ ОЧКАХ

Eyeware — швейцарский стартап в области компьютерного зрения, разрабатывающий программное обеспечение для трехмерного отслеживания глаз для бытовых камер с определением глубины. Eyeware был запущен в сентябре 2016 года как дочерняя компания Исследовательского института Idiap с миссией внедрить трехмерное отслеживание взгляда на потребительские устройства. В сотрудничестве с промышленными партнерами Eyeware выводит на рынок сенсорные приложения в различных отраслях, включая робототехнику, автомобилестроение, здравоохранение, потребительские устройства и розничную торговлю.

www.eyeware.tech

О ВЫСОКИХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЯХ GRÜNDERFONDS
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven startups. With EUR 892.5 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge 500 startups since 2005. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech startups in various sectors, including software, hardware, and life sciences/chemistry.

www.htgf.de

 

О ПРЕДПРИЯТИИ TRUMPF

The high-tech company TRUMPF offers production solutions in the machine tool and laser sectors. With our corporate venture capital arm TRUMPF Venture, we are both a strategic partner and a venture capital investor for startups with an industrial focus. The TRUMPF group has about 13,400 employees in nearly all Europe, North and South America, and Asia and achieved sales of 3.6 billion euros in fiscal 2017/18.

www.trumpf.com

 

О ШВЕЙЦАРСКОЙ СТАРТОВОЙ ГРУППЕ

The SWISS STARTUP GROUP is a privately financed Swiss venture platform to scout, analyze, accelerate and invest in the most promising early-stage startups. SSUG has created a unique business execution platform where top early-stage startups, venture investors, corporate partners, academic partners, and mentors meet, exchange, accelerate, and invest within the last years.

www.swissstartupfactory.com

 

О ЦЮРИХ КАНТОНАЛБАНК

Zurich Kantonalbank (ZKB) — крупнейший кантональный банк Швейцарии и один из крупнейших швейцарских банков с общим объемом активов 164 млрд швейцарских франков и более чем 5000 сотрудников.

www.zkb.ch