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 är en spin-off av Idiap Research Institute och EPFL. Eyeware Tech SA skapades i september 2016 och har samarbetat med flera industriella partners för att prototyper och utveckla innovativa eyetracking-applikationer. Ett av projekten som presenteras offentligt är BionicWorkplace: ett koncept för en futuristisk fabriksarbetsplats som innehåller en kollaborativ robotarm som utvecklats av det tyska företaget Festo och presenterades på 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.”

Axel Nitsch, investeringschef på HTGF, sa om investeringen i 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.”

Dr. Dieter Kraft, verkställande direktör för TRUMPF Venture och styrelseledamot i Eyeware, kommenterade också att:

“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.”

För mer info, kontakta oss gärna på [email protected].

 

OM GLÖNER

Eyeware är en schweizisk startup för datorseende som utvecklar 3D-ögonspårningsprogram för konsumentkameror med djupavkänning. Eyeware lanserades i september 2016, som en spin-off från Idiap Research Institute, med uppdraget att ge 3D-ögonspårning till konsumentenheter. I samarbete med industriella partners uppmärksammar Eyeware avkännande applikationer på marknaden i flera branscher, inklusive robotteknik, fordonsindustri, hälsovård, konsumentenheter och detaljhandel.

www.eyeware.tech

OM HÖGTEKNISK 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

 

OM TRUMPF VENTURE

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

 

OM SWISS STARTUP GROUP

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

 

OM ZURIC KANTONALBANK

Zurich Kantonalbank (ZKB) är den största kantonbanken i Schweiz och en av de största schweiziska bankerna, med en total tillgång på 164 miljarder CHF och mer än 5 000 anställda.

www.zkb.ch