Obsidian Sensors
Low-cost, high-resolution thermal imaging sensors on glass.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | N/A | Convertible | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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Obsidian Sensors develops thermal sensor solutions, specializing in the production of high-resolution, uncooled microbolometers built on glass substrates. Founded in 2017 by CEO John Hong and spun out of Qualcomm, the San Diego-based company is focused on making thermal imaging technology more accessible and affordable for mass-market adoption. Hong, an experienced executive in the field, leads the company's mission. While co-founder information can be inconsistent across sources, John Hong is consistently cited as the CEO and founder.
The company's core innovation is its proprietary Large Area MEMS Platform (LAMP), a manufacturing process that fabricates thermal sensors on large glass substrates, similar to those used in flat-panel displays. This method allows for significantly lower production costs and higher volumes compared to traditional silicon-based sensors, enabling the production of over 100 million units per year. The technology integrates surface micromachining with low-temperature polysilicon thin-film transistors (LTPS TFT) to create high-resolution sensors (VGA and SVGA) at a disruptive price point.
Obsidian Sensors operates on a business model that supplies these sensor modules to camera integrators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and system solution providers. Its primary markets include the automotive, security/surveillance, drone, and industrial sectors. A key application is enhancing automotive safety through Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), particularly for Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) systems, which are becoming a mandatory safety feature. The company has established partnerships with major electronics manufacturers like Quanta Computer, Innolux, and Japan Display Inc. (JDI) to scale production and integrate its technology. Investors include Qualcomm Ventures, Hyundai, SK Walden, Himax, and EvoNexus.
Keywords: thermal imaging sensors, microbolometer, Large Area MEMS Platform, uncooled infrared sensors, automotive sensors, ADAS, PAEB, security cameras, drone imaging, industrial imaging, low-cost thermal sensors, VGA resolution, SVGA resolution, MEMS on glass, John Hong, flat-panel display manufacturing, sensor technology, machine vision, infrared cameras