Spectricity introduces true colors with the S1-M camera module for mobile devices
Barcelona, ESP, 27-02-2023 – After introducing the S1, the first sensor to deliver true color through a smartphone camera, Spectricity is now launching a miniature camera module using this cutting-edge technology. This first miniature, mobile device-ready multispectral image sensor, was introduced as a groundbreaking new technology at CES last month. The technology is expected to be adopted in all smartphones coming years.
The new camera module, announced at MWC in Barcelona, integrates the S1 image sensor with an optimized custom miniature lens for spectral imaging in a compact module. The camera module is compatible with mobile devices and smartphone integration thanks to its truly miniature form factor.
Spectricity also announces a partnership with high-volume camera module manufacturer Namuga. Tae Youn Won, the CEO of Namuga says: “We are very excited to work with Spectricity to develop and manufacture the next-level camera module with the S1 sensor. One can’t imagine modern personal life today without sharing daily content. Now, this can be taken to a next level with Spectricity’s improvement in color fidelity combined with Namuga’s experience in manufacturing and module development.”
Spectricity is delighted to partner with Namuga says Vincent Mouret, CEO of Spectricity: “We are excited to work with Namuga’s experienced team for this high-volume product. A high-volume camera module is essential for mobile device integration. We expect the first smartphone models with the S1 to be released as soon as in 2024 and all smartphones to include our technology within the coming years.”
The smartphone camera will no longer be colorblind
The S1 spectral image sensor solves color fidelity issues of smartphone cameras and can measure true color through the spectral signature of an object.
The S1 was recognized as a technology breakthrough at the recent edition of CES: it’s the first truly miniaturized, mass-manufacturable mobile spectral image sensor. At the same time, it captures the full visible and near-infrared range at video rates, required for mobile applications. It’s suited as a companion sensor to the main cameras in a smartphone.
Jonathan Borremans, CTO: “The S1-M camera module marks another phenomenal advance over any multispectral camera on the market. No one to date has managed to fit these specs into a miniature module. The S1-M can be integrated into any mobile device.”
Spectral imaging will fix the poor camera color fidelity of smartphones and consumer devices. Despite all advances in image sensor and camera technology, smartphones still cannot capture true color as they are limited by 3 color channels: red, green, and blue.
Jonathan Borremans: “Essentially, even your high-end smartphone camera is color blind. The S1 uses richer spectral signature data, resulting in much higher color fidelity in your pictures. We’re confident that spectral imaging will become essential in all devices including a camera.”
As part of the smartphone camera of the future, the S1 spectral camera sensor will drive innovation in consumer devices in personalized cosmetics, health and wellness, e-commerce, smart gardening, and authentication.
About Spectricity
Spectricity was incorporated in 2018 and is backed by international VCs to bring spectral imaging to mobile devices. Spectricity has offices in Belgium, the USA, Taipei, and Malaysia.
The S1 is currently under evaluation by major smartphone makers. EVKs are available for device manufacturers driving large volumes.
Meet us at MWC 2023 in Barcelona
Meet us at MWC 2023 in Barcelona. Book a meeting at mwc-2023 @ spectricity.com.
World premiere at CES: Spectricity spectral camera brings true colors to smartphone photos
S1 spectral image sensor sets new quality standard in smartphone photography, enables new use cases in e-commerce, cosmetics, authentication...
Las Vegas, 05-January-2023 - At CES 2023, Spectricity introduces the S1, the first miniature, mobile device-ready multispectral image sensor. The first smartphones using the sensor are expected by 2024. Within two years, this technology is expected to be in all smartphones.
The S1 spectral image sensor solves color fidelity issues of smartphone cameras, and can measure true color through the spectral signature of an object.
The S1 is a technology breakthrough: it’s the first truly miniaturized, mass-manufacturable mobile spectral image sensor. At the same time, it captures the full visible and near-infrared range at video rates, required for mobile applications. It’s well suited as a companion sensor to the main cameras in a smartphone.
Jonathan Borremans, CTO Spectricity: "The S1 marks a phenomenal advance over any multispectral imager on the market. No one to date has managed to fit these specs into a miniature chip. The S1 can be integrated into any mobile device."
Currently, Spectricity is sampling the S1 to several smartphone manufacturers to be included in upcoming models.
Vincent Mouret, CEO: "’We are excited to announce this breakthrough; the first ever affordable mobile spectral imager. The release is a key milestone for Spectricity in its ambition to serve smartphone markets, and to pursue our mission to enable mass adoption of spectral sensing in mobile devices. We expect the first smartphone models with the S1 to be released in 2024, and we expect all smartphones to include our technology within the coming years."
"RGB": how spectral imaging brings true colors to smartphones
Spectral imaging will fix poor camera color fidelity of smartphones and consumer devices, a root cause for inaccurate photo colors but also poorly rendered skin colors. This will make camera technology more reliable and more inclusive.
Despite all advances in image sensor and camera technology, smartphones still cannot capture true color. Limited by 3 color channels ("RGB" or red, green, blue), the automatic white balancing (AWB) algorithms often struggle to accurately resolve the white point of a scene correctly. Consequently, they can fail to get the colors right.
Jonathan Borremans, CTO: “Essentially, even your high-end smartphone camera is color blind. The S1 uses richer spectral signature data, resulting in much higher color fidelity in your pictures. We're confident that spectral imaging will become an essential component in all devices that include a camera."
The smartphone camera of the future: The S1 will drive innovation in consumer devices
The S1 will have a significant commercial impact in the consumer devices industry:
- Research shows that photography and camera capability are major drivers for smartphone upgrades
- Personalized cosmetics are already a 40 billion dollar market. Spectral imaging will drive a transition from retail to home, and expert advice from your mobile device, adoption and customer satisfaction in this category.
- Medical applications and use cases will be unlocked with spectral imaging
- E-commerce: better color rendering will support online commerce
- New applications and use cases become possible for authentication (face ID) and even smart gardening
About Spectricity
Spectricity was incorporated in 2018 and is backed by international VCs to bring spectral imaging to mobile devices. With 35 employees, Spectricity has offices in Belgium, the USA, Taipei and Malaysia.
The S1 is currently under evaluation by major smartphone makers. As of January 2023, EVKs are available for device manufacturers driving large volumes.
Meet us at CES 2023
Meet us at CES 2023 where we will unveil a world premiere in smartphone photography. Book a demo and stay tuned how we will cure color blindness in smartphone cameras.
Book an appointment at ces2023 @ spectricity.com.
Spectricity receives €3 million grant from Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen - VLAIO)
We are pleased to announce that Spectricity has been awarded a €3 million grant by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen - VLAIO) to help prepare Spectricity’s spectral sensor R&D for mobile devices. VLAIO stimulates innovation in Flanders and finances R&D driven by entrepreneurial Flemish companies.
Our CEO, Vincent Mouret, said:
“Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship has supported Spectricity since the beginning and has been instrumental in our research and development trajectory. With the new grant, VLAIO will help us accelerate our research on advanced consumer camera modules and AI to enable smartphone market areas. This takes us closer to achieving our objective of supporting mass adoption of spectral sensing in mobile devices.”
Spectricity Deploys Proprietary Technology at X-FAB to Bring Spectral Imaging to Mobile Devices
Enabling integration of small, pixelated spectral filters on CMOS image sensors
Tessenderlo and Mechelen, Belgium – June 28, 2022
X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE, the leading analog/mixed-signal and specialty foundry, and Spectricity, a fabless semiconductor company specializing in the development of multispectral imaging technology have collaborated on a unique imaging solution. Proprietary spectral imaging technology from Spectricity has been installed at X-FAB’s high-volume manufacturing facilities. This will, for the first time, enable low-cost manufacturing of spectral image sensors for use in mobile devices.
Spectricity’s patented spectral sensor solution is based on the integration of small, pixelated spectral filters onto CMOS image sensors in the visible and NIR spectral range. Inclusion of 16 or more high-quality narrowband channels is possible. Through its deployment, X-FAB is the only foundry enabling volume CMOS production of such small spectral pixels, making it and Spectricity well positioned to meet the demands of the mobile handset OEMs. The compactness and high spectral density of the resulting solution provides both high spatial- and spectral resolution sensing – allowing opportunities in smartphone, IoT, healthcare and wearables to be addressed.
Incorporation of spectral camera modules into mobile devices is part of an ongoing trend to add advanced sensing functionality. Spectral imagers will be able to capture image data across many spectral channels, beyond the conventional red, green and blue color channels. This will allow measuring of objects’ spectral signatures. Among the applications that will benefit are image acquisition where more accurate auto white balancing is needed, personalized cosmetics and skincare, remote healthcare, and smart gardening/agriculture.
According to Vincent Mouret, CEO of Spectricity: “Successful installation of our technology, which was originally pioneered by imec, at X-FAB’s volume production facilities is a key milestone for Spectricity in our ambition to serve the global smartphone market. This takes us closer to achieving our objective of supporting mass adoption of spectral sensing in mobile devices.”
Jörg Doblaski, CTO of X-FAB, comments: “We have been really impressed with the engineering skills of the Spectricity team, and are excited about the successful cooperation with an innovative European company enabling spectral imager products. Transfer of their technology has been accomplished within a short timeframe, with initial lots already meeting the required specifications.”
Spectricity plans to start sampling its spectral imaging solution fabricated via X-FAB later in 2022.
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About X-FAB
X-FAB is the leading analog/mixed-signal and MEMS foundry group manufacturing silicon wafers for
automotive, industrial, consumer, medical and other applications. Its customers worldwide benefit from the
highest quality standards, manufacturing excellence and innovative solutions by using X-FAB’s modular
CMOS and SOI processes in geometries ranging from 1.0 µm to 130 nm, and its special silicon carbide and
MEMS long-lifetime processes. X-FAB’s analog-digital integrated circuits (mixed-signal ICs), sensors and
micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are manufactured at six production facilities in Germany, France,
Malaysia and the U.S. X-FAB employs about 4,000 people worldwide. Learn more at xfab.com.
About Spectricity
Spectricity is a fabless company headquartered in Belgium developing and manufacturing spectral sensing
solutions using CMOS technologies. These solutions are designed for high-volume production, and targeted
at use in consumer and mobile devices. The company was incorporated in 2018, and is backed by venture
capital investment. Its technology builds on an exclusively-licensed patent portfolio from imec, a world-
leading R&D and innovation hub in nano-electronics and digital technologies. The technology and the
products powered by it are the fruit of more than 15 years of research and development. Learn more
at spectricity.com.
Meet us at Image Sensors Europe
Spectricity will be presenting. Come and meet us on May 10th.
https://www.image-sensors.com/image-sensors-europe
Meet us at Sensors International
Spectricity will be presenting. Come and meet us on Wednesday November 10th.
https://sensorsinternational.net/
Coverage on Kanaal Z (Dutch/French only)
Kanaal Z publishes a nice video on Spectricity’s investment round and technology.
Spectricity Raises €14 Million Series B Funding as it Accelerates Plans to Deliver Industry Leading Hyperspectral Sensing to Mobile and Consumer Devices
Funding Expands Growth for Tiny Chip-size Sensors for Unimaginable New Applications
Mechelen, Belgium, August 3, 2021 – Spectricity, a leading provider of hyperspectral sensing solutions for mobile and consumer devices, announced today a €14 million ($16M US) Series B funding round to further accelerate the development and mass production of hyperspectral sensors and imagers for high-volume, low-cost applications from wearables to smartphones and IoT devices.
Hyperspectral sensing allows devices to “see” beyond what the naked eye can see. The sensor can tell you your heartbeat, the amount of oxygen in your blood or the hydration of your skin, while hyperspectral imagers can be used to perfectly match your skintone to cosmetics or to determine whether your food is fresh. Spectricity’s patented, spectral sensing technology is the only one in the world that can make professional grade sensor and imager solutions small and low power enough to fit a smartphone or a wearable device. This unique technology will bring a wide array of health, cosmetic, food and augmented reality applications to the pockets and/or the wrists of the consumers.
Leading global investors including AtlanticBridge, Capricorn Fusion China Fund, and Shanghai Semiconductor Equipment and Material Fund (SSMEF) invested in this Series B round alongside Belgium Series A investors imec.xpand and XTRION. This round brings Spectricity to €20 million in total funding to date.
“This is a major milestone for Spectricity and the deployment of our chip size hyperspectral sensor and imager solutions for mass market mobile devices and applications,” said Vincent Mouret, CEO of Spectricity. “This new round of financing will enable us to significantly accelerate our high-volume manufacturing, hire key talent and continue to expand our partnerships.”
Peter Vanbekbergen, partner at imec.xpand said: “The formation of Spectricity is a prime example of remarkable semiconductor innovation born in Europe, based on unique technology developed at imec. The best companies start with a great technology base, with founders coming together to identify a big problem and line up an expert investment team to help them succeed. As part of that team, we’re focused on providing Spectricity with unique value and networking.”
According to a recent March 2021 paper on the compact spectrometer systems market, emerging chip-size spectrometers are going to fuel growth to more than 300 million chips per year in 2024. New type spectrometers will be as small as semiconductor chips. (1)
“I am pleased to see Spectricity growing and closing their second financing round, three
years after its creation as imec spin-off,” said Luc Van den hove, President and CEO of imec. “Spectricity’s products are based on unique imec technology, and we will continue to maintain a strong link between our R&D and Spectricity’s development to enable a lasting competitive edge for Spectricity’s products.”
Following more than 10 years of research at imec, a world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nano-electronics and digital technologies, Spectricity was founded in 2018 by a team including research engineers of imec. Semiconductor industry veterans, CEO Vincent Mouret who joined the company last April and Chairman of the Board, Pieter Vorenkamp, ex-Senior Vice President of Broadcom, helped to productize the technology and scale the company.
About Spectricity
Spectricity is a fabless semiconductor company creating spectral sensing solutions for high-volume mobile and consumer devices, using low-cost CMOS technologies. Spectricity’s patented, spectral sensing technology enhances existing camera sensors by fusing data with other image and 3D sensors in the devices to provide augmented real-time data, advanced user-environment interfacing, and big data analysis. Spectricity’s miniaturized sensors enable completely new unimaginable applications from skin health to skin cosmetics and agricultural, AR, food analysis and more. www.spectricity.com
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