Prophesee

Prophesee is a Paris-based company that has developed advanced neuromorphic vision systems using patented sensor design and AI algorithms. Founded in 2014, Prophesee's technology is inspired by human vision and mimics how the eye and brain work to reveal what was previously invisible using standard frame-based camera technology. At the core of Prophesee's innovation is its event-based vision approach, which is fundamentally different from traditional image sensors. Instead of capturing entire frames at fixed intervals, Prophesee's Metavision sensors have pixels that independently and asynchronously detect and transmit changes in the scene, resulting in a continuous stream of information with microsecond precision.

This event-based approach offers several key advantages, including ultra-low latency, high dynamic range (>120 dB), and significantly reduced power consumption and data processing requirements compared to conventional frame-based systems. Prophesee's technology enables high-speed vision capabilities of over 10,000 fps equivalent temporal precision while consuming less than 10mW of power. The company's neuromorphic vision systems have applications across various industries, including autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, IoT, security and surveillance, mobile devices, and augmented/virtual reality.

Prophesee has developed both hardware and software products. Its hardware offerings include event-based vision sensors and cameras, with the latest being the GenX320 Event-based Metavision sensor launched in October 2023. This 320x320 pixel sensor is designed for edge applications like AR/VR headsets, eye tracking, and IoT devices. On the software side, Prophesee offers the Metavision Intelligence Suite, which provides a comprehensive toolkit for developers to work with event-based vision data.

Key customers and partnerships

Prophesee has established partnerships with several major technology companies to accelerate the adoption of its neuromorphic vision technology. In 2022, Prophesee announced a collaboration with Sony to develop a next-generation HD vision sensor combining Sony's CMOS image sensor technology with Prophesee's Metavision sensing technology. The company also partnered with Qualcomm in March 2023 to integrate its event-based vision technology into Qualcomm's Snapdragon mobile platforms, aiming to enhance smartphone camera performance, particularly in fast-moving scenes and low-light conditions.

In the industrial sector, Prophesee has formed commercial partnerships with leading machine vision suppliers such as Lucid, Framos, Imago, and Century Arks. The company has also collaborated with BrainChip to combine their technologies for high-performance and low-power edge AI vision applications. Additionally, Prophesee has worked with companies in the AR/VR space, including a partnership announced in 2023 with Ultraleap and TCL RayNeo to develop low-power tracking technology for AR glasses.