Vayyar Imaging Ltd., which claims to be a “global leader in 4D radar imaging technology,” raised $109 million in Series D financing led by Koch Disruptive Technologies, or KDT. Koch said today that Vayyar plans to use the funding to “enhance its core technology, evolve its global footprint, and expand its offerings in key industries and geographies.”
Israel-based Vayyar was founded in 2010 and said its radar can generate 4D images (3D plus time), detect obstacles, and wirelessly monitor people’s vital signs. Its sensors can also be for industrial inspection, as well as in laboratory or manufacturing testing and measurement.
KDT led this new round with Regal Four and existing investors, including Battery Ventures, Bessemer Ventures, ICV, ITI, Walden Riverwood, and ClalTech.
“We are excited to partner with KDT and Robert and Adam Beren [from Regal Four] as we drive our business forward,” said Raviv Melamed, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Vayyar. “KDT’s entrepreneurial culture and market leadership in multiple industries can help a startup like Vayyar to grow much faster than we did before, With this new funding round, we will continue to create the next generation of sensing technology that is miniature, affordable, and versatile enough to impact everyone’s lives.
Giving robots radar vision
Vayyar’s its chip covers imaging and radar bands from 3Ghz to 81Ghz, with up to 72 transceivers and an integrated high-performance DSP (digital signal processor). The company‘s multi-antenna sensor can help create high-resolution, 4D point-cloud images.
Unlike many lidar and vision-based cameras, Vayyar said, its radar sensors can work in any environmental condition, unaffected by line-of-sight obstacles, bright light, or weather conditions. They can see through walls, map environments, and track object in real time.
“Advancements in imaging sensors are vital as technology continues to disrupt all aspects of society,” stated Chase Koch, president of KDT. “We see incredible potential in combining Vayyar’s innovative technology and principled leadership team with Koch’s global reach and capabilities to create breakthroughs in a whole range of industries.”
Last year, the World Economic Forum named Vayyar a Technology Pioneer with the potential to transform society and industry.
Vayyar’s system on a chip can support safety features for industrial robots. Source: Vayyar
Industrial applications for Vayyar vision tech
Vayyar said its sensors are useful for robotics, automotive, medical, retail, RF testing, and smart-home medical applications. In industrial automation, 4D radar provides movement detection and proximity measurement, appendage protection and obstacle avoidance, and accurate motion configuration for robots, said the company.
Service robots in homes, offices, and healthcare facilities can use Vayyar sensors to map and classify obstacles, complete automated tasks, and provide navigation assistance for large rooms or spaces.
“KDT is excited to partner with Vayyar to help it accelerate its vision of providing people with transformative products that will improve their health, safety, and quality of life,” Koch said. “Raviv Melamed and the Vayyar management team, with the support of a great group of current investors, have positioned Vayyar well to accelerate its global growth.”
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