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Autonomous and connected technologies shaping the future of the auto industry

Auto Tech

SiLC Technologies is a silicon photonics company that focuses on photonic sensor and 4D imaging for applications including autonomous vehicles, security, industrial automation, and robotics. It develops a 4D LiDAR chip called “Eyeonic Vision Sensor” equipped with unique frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology for high sensing capabilities. The sensor can provide instantaneous depth, velocity, and dual-polarization intensity information and is available in several objects detection range settings between 50 and 500 meters.The company launched the product commercially <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15766">in January 2023 </a>and it was available for purchase and shipping worldwide at prices based on the configuration. SiLC Technologies claims to be the only company to integrate an FMCW imaging system on a cost-effective silicon platform.Key customers and partnershipsSiLC Technologies has product partnerships with companies including Hong Kong-based Cloud Light, a manufacturer of advanced optical modules, to commence volume production of Eyeonic sensors (in June 2022), and automotive semiconductor company Indie Semiconductor, to develop LiDAR for next-gen sensing applications <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20654">(August 2023).</a>

AI, robotics, and IoT to streamline the flow of goods and information

Logistics Tech

<div>
 
 Righthand Robotics develops &ldquo;RightPick,&rdquo; a software driven, robotic piece-picking solution for warehouse automation. The technology combines AI, machine learning, and computer vision with intelligent grippers to imitate human hand-eye coordination. The technology can be integrated into a wide range of workflows and processes to pick and place individual items. &ldquo;Right Pick&rdquo; is supported by its fleet management software &ldquo;RightPick Control Center,&rdquo; which provides remote access and visibility into the RightPick solutions deployed within the warehouses. Its product offering also includes &ldquo;RightCare,&rdquo; a service and support plan that is offered in conjunction with the RightPick AI software annual license agreement.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Its latest version, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25868">
 &ldquo;RightPick 4,&rdquo;
 </a>
 launched in January 2024, comes with with enhanced AI, sensor suite, and new hardware that allow the system to extend its item-picking range, handle items more efficiently, and enhance system autonomy.
 
 
 
 
 The company operates on a subscription-based robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) business model, and also offers buying options based on a capital investment model.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In March 2022, the company launched a
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9203?industryIds=6">
 
 partner integrator program
 </a>
 to complement its robotic piece-picking solutions with warehouse technologies and solution providers (partners included Element Logic, Vanderlande, Asetec, and Okamura).
 
 
 
 
 Its other partnerships include Tompkins Robotics (to combine Tompkins&rsquo; portable automated sortation system with RightPick; 2018), Element Logic (to launch a robotic piece-picking solution using RightPick&rsquo;s picking capabilities; March 2022), and Staples (to deploy RightPick in Staples' distribution and fulfillment network in the US; 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26568">
 February 2024).
 </a>
 
 
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8697">
 February 2022
 </a>
 , the company raised USD 66 million in a Series C round led by Safar Partners, Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P., and SoftBank Vision Fund 2. The funds were expected to be used to accelerate product and business development, scale global presence by expanding its partner network, offices, and team to support its overall growth plans.
 
 
 
</div>

Axelspace is a startup company developing businesses in the microsatellite field. Axelspace plans to construct a monitoring platform to cover the entire globe on a daily basis at extremely low cost.

SiLC Technologies is a Silicon Photonics start up focusing on photonic Sensor and 3D imaging applications. It develops new and novel technologies and integrated solutions to address the growing needs of an autonomous and smart new world.

U-MaP is an “industrial materials” venture from Nagoya University, which was established mainly by researchers at Nagoya University. The mission under the company name is ''Providing new solutions to society through technological innovation through ultimate materials and processing technologies (Ultimate Material and Processing).'' Under this mission, U-MaP will continue to commercialize university technology seeds and create next-generation industries.

RightHand Robotics provides end-to-end solutions that reduce the cost of e-commerce order-fulfillment of electronics, apparel, grocery. Their robots grasp a wide variety of items from bins and cases. Their core technology enables them to do this automatically without laborious data entry or parameter-tuning — so they are inexpensive to set up and flexible to the changing needs of businesses. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Aroma Bit develops compact odor sensor and innovative services and products using the sensor.They live in a world surrounded by an endless number of scents and aromas. However,our olfactory sense is often overlooked. This is partly because it is so difficult to capture the essence of a scent only using words. For example, how would you clearly describe what a rose smelled like to someone who has never smelled it?

Founded in 2016, LetinAR Inc, a startup company made its appearance in the scene of Augmented Reality presenting a new paradigm-changing technology - PinMR™ lens. This technology was developed mainly to redress common failings found in current products; heavy and expensive hardware and deficient functions that inhibit the construction of real eyeglasses-shaped designs and render wearability and usability mediocre at best.

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