SoftKinetic And Melexis First To Bring 3D Vision To Automobile Infotainment

BRUSSELS--June 23, 2014: SoftKinetic, the world's leading provider of 3D vision and gesture recognition solutions, together with global automotive semiconductor and sensor innovator Melexis (MELE), today announce the availability of the first Time of Flight (ToF) 3D sensor for automobile safety and infotainment markets. The MLX75023 sensor, featuring SoftKinetic technology and manufactured in Melexis' automotive-grade CMOS mixed signal process, is the highest resolution 3D sensor available. It works in full sunlight, making it the perfect solution for a vehicle's cockpit. It can be used for natural 3D gesture recognition and robust driver monitoring, bringing a new level of infotainment navigation control and safety features. Both companies will be demonstrating the new sensor at the CAR HMi event June 26-27, 2014 in Berlin.

The MLX75023 is a QVGA (320 x 240 pixel) resolution optical ToF camera sensor. Featuring SoftKinetic's patented DepthSense® 3D Imaging technology, and in conjunction with SoftKinetic's advanced image processing software, the sensor is capable of understanding the most subtle human gestures as well as the shape, size and behavior of objects and people inside the car. Now drivers can adjust the temperature and radio, or make a phone call, using simple gestures and without taking their eyes off the road. Additional capabilities of the sensor allow for driver behavior monitoring as well as context awareness, creating a safer environment for every passenger in the vehicle.

"Our unique Time of Flight sensor has created exciting opportunities for the gaming environment, augmented and virtual realities, and even the living room. Working together with Melexis we have now been able to create a sensor that is robust in full sunlight, perfect for the automobile environment," said Michel Tombroff, CEO of SoftKinetic. "We are excited about the multitude of possibilities with this sensor, and look forward to the ways car manufacturers will incorporate it into the design of their vehicles' cockpits and beyond."

"At Melexis, we pride ourselves on bringing the most innovative and technically-advanced sensors and semiconductor systems to the highly competitive automobile manufacturing environment. SoftKinetic was an excellent fit for us, as their unique ToF sensor was unsurpassed in capabilities and function," said Françoise Chombar, CEO at Melexis. "Our partnership has allowed us to be the first to provide 3D vision to the automotive safety and infotainment markets, and we are confident that these sensors will enhance life safety and change the way drivers and passengers enjoy the vehicle experience."

Additional features of the MLX75023 sensor include:

High Ambient Light Robustness Inherently robust 3D imaging Scalability of resolution, range and field-of-view High frame rate Minimal post-processing About Melexis Melexis Microelectronic Integrated Systems N.V. (Euronext Brussels:MELE) imagines, creates and delivers innovative mixed signal integrated circuits. We engineer the sustainable future with ICs for more energy efficient systems. Melexis products address 3 functional classes; Sense, Drive and Communication. Sensors include magnetic Hall effect, Triaxis® and E-compass ICs; MEMs pressure; sensor interfaces; optoelectronic; infrared thermometers; CMOS 2D/3D image sensors; Gesture recognition ICs. Communication ICs include ISM band RF devices, TPMS, NFC and RFID transceivers; LIN bus ICs. Drive components are BLDC/DC drivers; FET Pre-drivers and BLDC Fan drivers. Melexis is proud of its participation toward reducing the human race's global environmental footprint.

For more information visit Melexis