AIRY3D Inc. is a deep-tech computer vision company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from the TandemLaunch startup factory, the company specializes in single-sensor 3D imaging solutions. AIRY3D has developed a disruptive technology platform that enables standard 2D CMOS image sensors to capture high-quality 2D images and inherently correlated 3D depth data simultaneously. By leveraging principles of diffraction rather than complex multi-lens systems or active illumination, the company provides a cost-effective, low-power, and compact alternative to traditional 3D sensing technologies like LiDAR, Time-of-Flight (ToF), and stereoscopic vision.
Core Technology: DepthIQ?
The cornerstone of AIRY3D?s intellectual property is the DepthIQ? platform. This solution is "sensor agnostic," meaning it can be integrated with virtually any standard image sensor (CMOS, CCD, FSI, or BSI) from leading manufacturers.
The Transmissive Diffraction Mask (TDM)
The hardware component of the solution is the Transmissive Diffraction Mask. This is a patented optical encoder, only a few microns thick, that is applied directly onto a standard image sensor during the semiconductor manufacturing process.
- Mechanism: The TDM modulates incoming light through diffraction to encode depth information directly into the raw data.
- Efficiency: Unlike stereo cameras, it requires only a single lens and sensor. Unlike active systems (ToF), it is a passive technology that does not require an infrared light projector, significantly reducing battery consumption and hardware footprint.
Image Depth Processing (IDP)
The hardware encoder is paired with a lightweight software suite known as Image Depth Processing.
- Decoding: The software separates the diffraction-encoded data from the full-resolution raw image.
- Output: It generates high-resolution, high-frame-rate depth maps and 3D point clouds that are perfectly synchronized with the corresponding 2D RGB or IR frames.
- Computational Load: The IDP is designed to be extremely "compute-light," making it suitable for integration into mobile devices, IoT hardware, and embedded systems without the need for dedicated, high-power processors.
Products and Services
1. DepthIQ? SDK
AIRY3D provides a Software Development Kit (SDK) optimized for leading System-on-Chip (SoC) platforms, including support for the Qualcomm? Robotics platforms (such as the RB3 Gen 2 and RB5). This allows manufacturers to integrate 3D features into their existing device architectures with minimal software overhead.
2. Specialized Sensor Collaborations
The company collaborates with major sensor manufacturers to produce hardware-ready 3D solutions. A notable example is the Topaz5D?, a collaboration with Teledyne e2v. This is a low-noise, 2MP global shutter sensor that utilizes AIRY3D?s technology to provide instant 2D and 3D data, specifically designed for industrial and robotics applications.
3. Professional Services and Customization
AIRY3D offers engineering services to tailor the TDM and IDP algorithms to specific customer requirements, including:
- Lens Matching: Optimizing the diffraction mask for specific field-of-view (FoV) or aperture requirements.
- Range Optimization: Tuning the sensor for near-field (e.g., facial recognition) or mid-range (e.g., indoor robotics) applications.
- Calibration Support: Providing tools and methodologies for mass-production calibration.
Target Applications and Market Verticals
Mobile and Consumer Electronics
In the smartphone and laptop markets, DepthIQ? enables "flagship" features on generic single-lens cameras.
- Face ID and Anti-Spoofing: Enhancing security by distinguishing between a real human face and a 2D photograph or video.
- Video Bokeh: Creating professional-grade background blur in real-time video calls.
- User Engagement: Powering gaze tracking and gesture control for more intuitive interfaces.
Automotive
Through partnerships with firms like Seeing Machines, AIRY3D provides technology for in-cabin monitoring systems (ICMS).
- Driver Monitoring: Tracking eye movement and head position with high precision to detect fatigue or distraction.
- Occupant Sensing: Identifying the number and position of passengers for smart airbag deployment.
Robotics and Industrial Automation
AIRY3D technology is particularly suited for the "interactive zone" where robots and humans coexist.
- Humanoids and Cobots: Enabling robotic hands and limbs to perceive objects at very close range without the "blind spots" typical of stereo vision.
- Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance: Providing 3D spatial awareness for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAVs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs).
- Dimensioning: Instant measurement of packages and objects for logistics and process control.
Security and Smart Home
- Smart Doorbells: Reducing false alerts by using depth to distinguish between moving foliage and an approaching person.
- Physical Access: Implementing secure, liveness-detected facial recognition for smart locks and office security.
Strategic Partnerships and Investors
AIRY3D?s growth is supported by a robust ecosystem of partners and investors, including:
- Financial Backing: Intel Capital, Bosch Ventures, and CRCM Ventures.
- Technology Partners: Lattice Semiconductor (integration with FPGAs), Teledyne e2v, and Qualcomm.
- Industry Memberships: The company is an active member of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).
