- LG Innotek develops 3D sensing modules based on Microsoft ToF technology 
- LG Innotek and Microsoft collaborate to commercialize cloud connected 3D 
  camera. 
- The collaboration will provide easy access to create 3D vision applications 
  for multiple industries.

LG Innotek (CEO Cheoldong Jeong) announced on 4th that it collaborates with 
Microsoft to unblock access to 3D vision technology and unleash innovation 
across multiple industry verticals such as: fitness, healthcare, logistics and 
retail with LG Innotek's ToF (Time of Flight) technology-based 3D camera 
modules and Microsoft's Azure Depth Platform. 

Locating the position of objects is an important aspect of scene analysis. 
Obtaining this information directly from a 3D ToF camera rather than inferring 
it from one or more 2D cameras simplifies the analysis and enhances robustness. 
3D cameras are suitable for robust computer vision analysis with less 
computation for many commercial use cases. Yet, 3D camera design and 
manufacturing require special technology in illumination, strong sensor level 
understanding and optical design capability which is currently limited to very 
few camera module makers.  

LG Innotek has combined its superfine drive techniques and optical technologies 
to create high performance and ultra-slim multi-camera modules. The company has 
done so by its renowned product design, production capacity, state of the art 
quality control and technologies for core components such as light source and 
lens. With such capabilities, LG Innotek has secured a leadership position in 
the camera module and 3D sensing module markets for smartphones.

Microsoft has over 20 years of experience in the 3D sensing field, spanning 
from pixel to chip, from modules to cameras, from algorithms to software, from 
characterization to calibration and manufacturing process tunning. This 
Microsoft 3D sensing knowhow was used to build Microsoft Hololens and Azure 
Kinect Devkit. The Azure Depth Platform program ( 
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/azure-depth-platform/ ) was created to 
proliferate Microsoft 3D sensing technology and drive large scale innovation 
via an ecosystem of Semiconductor, IHVs (Independent Hardware Vendors), ISVs 
(Independent Software Vendors) and SIs (System Integrators) building cameras, 
3D vision software & cloud services and business customers. Combining Microsoft 
ToF depth sensing technology with the Azure Intelligent Edge and Intelligent 
cloud platforms is disrupting computer vision applications.

With this collaboration, the two companies will drive customer value to the 
Azure ecosystem across multiple industries. For example, LG Innotek's 3D ToF 
cameras can be used with Azure in fitness to more precisely measure motions. In 
healthcare, they can be used to measure patients' posture and body shape and 
conduct robot-assisted surgery. Partners in the retail or logistics industries 
can use the technology to manage inventory and analyze customer traffic. In 
factories, these cloud-connected cameras can monitor and analyze production 
lines to prevent accidents.

Daniel Bar, head of business incubation for the Silicon & Sensor's group at 
Microsoft, said, "LG Innotek brings world class manufacturing expertise in 
complex optoelectronic systems. We are excited to welcome LG Innotek to our 
ecosystem and accelerate time to market for 3D cameras. This is a key step 
towards providing easy access for computer vision developers to create 3D 
vision applications." 

Jongyun Eun, Head of the Optics Solution Product Planning Division at LG 
Innotek, said, "Microsoft's Azure Depth Platform program has selected LG 
Innotek as a scaling partner due to its leading-edge technologies and 
production capability. Our collaboration with Microsoft will enable LG Innotek 
to help ecosystem partners on new designs and expand the application areas of 
3D sensing modules beyond smartphones."

About LG Innotek Co.,Ltd.

LG Innotek is a cutting-edge materials and components manufacturer and an 
affiliate of the LG group. The company's business units include core components 
for mobiles, automotive, display, semiconductors, and IoT. Furthermore, the 
company has cooperated closely with the mobile devices, home appliances, and 
automotive companies, producing camera modules, automotive electronic 
components, wireless communication modules, and substrate materials.

LG Innotek is headquartered in Seoul, Korea and its sales subsidiaries are 
located in Germany, USA, mainland China, Japan, and Taiwan with production 
subsidiaries in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico, and Poland. For more 
information, please refer to the website: www.lginnotek.com

SOURCE: LG Innotek