Intel Capital makes $38m investment across 12 start-ups
Intel Capital has invested $38m in 12 start-ups, focusing on those in the augmented reality, big data analytics and internet of things (IoT) sectors. The company invested $15m in Chronocam, manufacturer of vision sensors for drones, and $15.2m in InContext Solutions, a virtual reality solutions developer. The other companies include machine perception robotics company Embodied; software solutions firm Perrone Robotics; smart city developer Eazytec; WiFi device maker Grand Chip Microelectronics; business information platform Paxata; encryption application maker StealthMine; millimetre-scale computing creator CubeWorks; cloud based data and software provider Kinduct; responsive system manufacturer K4Connect; and 360-degree sound creator Dysonics.
Intel Capital is busy preparing for the next world order of tech, and has invested in two start-ups in the areas of robotics and VR.

Intel has invested $15m in Paris-based Chronocam, a maker of advanced vision sensors for robots, drones and self-driving cars.

The chip giant has also invested $15.2m in a Chicago-based company called InContext Solutions that develops virtual reality solutions for retailers.

Intel confirmed the news at its global summit in San Diego, where it announced investment of over $38m in start-ups, in markets such as augmented reality and internet of things (IoT).

The investments follow on the heels of the chip giant acquiring Irish machine vision chip maker Movidius recently for a rumoured $300m.

Intel Capital vision for making machines see

Chronocam makes computer vision technology that analyses captured images on a pixel-by-pixel basis in real time, for instant decision-making by machines such as cars in changing weather situations.

The company hopes to begin shipping its technology next year.

“Conventional computer vision approaches are not well suited to the requirements of a new generation of vision-enabled systems,” said Luca Verre, CEO and co-founder of Chronocam.

“For example, autonomous vehicles require faster sensing systems which can operate in a wider variety of ambient conditions.

“In the IoT segment, power budgets, bandwidth requirements and integration within sensor networks make today’s vision technologies impractical and ineffective.”

Improving the bottom line for retailers

InContext Solutions effectively brings retail experiences into the VR world. This brings to $40m in capital that the company has raised from investors, including Plymouth Venture Partners and Hyde Park Venture Partners.

The company’s technology helps to give retailers an understanding of how goods and concepts in store are catching consumers’ eyes using heat maps, and this helps retailers develop new concepts.

“This latest round of funding gives us strong strategic backers who share our vision of even more robust, fully immersive virtual reality solutions for retail,” said Mark Hardy, CEO of InContext Solutions.

“We have long been a leader in web-based VR, and this investment allows us to aggressively develop our VR platform, further lowering costs and improving speed and revenue for our clients.”

By merging Intel technology with InContext’s, retailers will be able to conceive optimal shopper experiences that reduce risk and improve the bottom line.

“Intel believes virtual reality has great potential to disrupt retail and manufacturing, and InContext’s platform has demonstrated the value VR and merged reality can provide to those industries,” said Joe Jensen, VP of the IoT group and general manager of the retail solutions division at Intel.

“We’re pleased to enter this relationship to bring best-in-class VR to market.”