Sony stated earlier today it has acquired SoftKinetic, a Belgian based developer of sensor-to-software 3D gesture solutions including the patented DepthSenseRM Time-of-Flight sensor technology. Melexis has been licensed under this technology for a number of years for products such as the MLX75023, the world's first automotive Time-of-Flight sensor in production.
Melexis will enter into a license agreement with Sony for the DepthSenseRM Time-of-Flight sensor technology upon Sony's acquisition of SoftKinetic, and will collaborate with Sony to further expand this technology. The products derived from this collaboration will be fabricated at Sony's world-class wafer fabrication facility in image sensor technology hence supporting further its offering to customers worldwide looking for solutions in the area of gesture recognition.
Francoise Chombar, CEO Melexis, comments: "The combination of Sony's superior image sensor technology and our year-long automotive sensor know-how and experience provides an exciting new platform for enhancing the Time-of-Flight technology. This innovative technology could change dramatically the way drivers communicate with their vehicles. No more touch screens or knobs, but a simple gesture might suffice in the future."
