Qualcomm, Nokia pump $20M into array camera start-up | pixels and pictures | Scoop.it
From www.eetasia.com - June 17, 2013 12:49 AM

Array camera start-up Pelican Imaging Corp. has closed a $20 million Series C round of funding bringing the total invested in the company to more than $37 million since its formation in 2008. New investors include Qualcomm Ventures and Nokia Growth Partners who have joined existing investors Globespan Capital Partners, Granite Ventures, InterWest Partners and In-Q-tel.

Pelican Imaging has developed an array sensor architecture together with algorithms and software for image reconstruction, gesture recognition and other functions. Instead of using a single, high-resolution but expensive CMOS image sensor, the array camera averages multiple images to produce a single, enhanced-resolution image.

According to CTO Kartik Venkataraman, the principal advantages are reduced z height, superior performance under low light conditions, and the ability to offer 3D functions and gesture recognition. Venkataraman cofounded Pelican Imaging in 2008 with then CEO Aman Jabbi.