Dr. Hoon Kim, Founder and CEO Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) technology has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, driving innovation across a range of industries, from smartphones and automotive to healthcare and security.
While the benefits of this cutting-edge technology are undeniable, the high costs of development and implementation often put it out of reach for many industries, particularly smaller players or those with limited budgets.
SeeDevice Inc. is breaking this mold by blending advanced capabilities with affordability.
The company offers a sensor that detects a wide range of wavelengths using a unique, silicon-based CMOS process. The result is a game-changing SWIR solution that’s transforming sectors from agriculture to healthcare, gaming, and automotive, all without the high costs typically associated with such advancements.
A VISION THAT BEGAN ALMOST A DECADE AGO
SeeDevice Inc. was founded nearly a decade ago by Dr. Hoon Kim, whose deep experience in technology and research laid the groundwork for the company’s innovation.
Before establishing SeeDevice, Dr. Kim served as a professor at the University of Utah and as the director of Nano Quantum Devices Center at KETI (Korea Electronics Technology Institute). With a strong academic background and a proven track record in technological development, Dr. Kim’s move into the private sector was driven by his desire to create practical, scalable solutions for industries in need of advanced imaging technologies.
His journey began with the aim of bridging the gap between high-performance imaging sensors and the cost-prohibitive technologies that were limiting their widespread adoption. Prior to SeeDevice’s inception, most image sensors capable of detecting wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum relied on rare, expensive materials such as indium gallium arsenide or germanium. These materials were costly and difficult to scale, limiting their availability and affordability for many applications.
Dr. Kim’s breakthrough came when he developed a patented technology based on pure silicon. By incorporating the quantum tunnelling effect and plasmonic field enhancement into his design, he was able to create a CMOS image sensor capable of detecting wavelengths from the X-Ray range all the way to short-wave infrared. This groundbreaking sensor has since set SeeDevice apart from competitors and opened new possibilities in imaging.
QUANTUM-DRIVEN INNOVATION
SeeDevice’s ability to detect such a broad spectrum of wavelengths with precision and affordability makes it unique. The company’s sensors are based on a quantum-driven innovation that combines two fundamental concepts: the quantum tunnelling effect and plasmonic field enhancement.
At its core, the quantum tunnelling effect allows the sensor to pass through energy barriers that would normally be insurmountable for conventional sensors. This enables it to detect wavelengths from the X-Ray spectrum to the short-wave infrared range, providing a far wider range than any other CMOS sensor technology. Additionally, plasmonic field enhancement improves the sensor’s ability to detect and amplify light signals, enhancing overall sensitivity and efficiency.
SeeDevice’s CMOS image sensors are built entirely with silicon, making them both affordable and easy to manufacture at scale. This breakthrough in manufacturing enables the company to offer a powerful sensor at a fraction of the price of competing products. Dr. Kim, Founder & CEO at SeeDevice, explains the significance of the technology:
“Our quantum-based CMOS image sensor technology enables us to achieve capabilities previously reserved for sensors that used expensive, exotic materials. What we’ve done is take that high performance and make it scalable, affordable, and easy to mass-produce.”
FROM AGRICULTURE TO GAMING
SeeDevice’s SWIR technology is already making a significant impact across various industries. One of the company’s most exciting collaborations is with John Deere, the world’s leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery. SeeDevice has collaborated to integrate its image sensors into John Deere’s equipment, helping farmers monitor yield level in grain cart day or night, even in harsh environment, maintain crop health, and detect defects in real time with remarkable accuracy. This collaboration has the potential to improve crop yields, optimize farming practices, and reduce waste—ultimately revolutionizing precision farming.
In addition to agriculture, SeeDevice is also working with a prominent gaming device company to integrate its sensors into the next generation of gaming consoles. This application demonstrates the versatility of SeeDevice’s SWIR technology, which can be seamlessly adapted for use in consumer electronics. By embedding advanced imaging capabilities into gaming consoles, SeeDevice is helping to deliver new experiences to players while keeping production costs low.
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Our quantum-based CMOS image sensor technology enables us to achieve capabilities previously reserved for sensors that used expensive, exotic materials. What we’ve done is take that high performance and make it scalable, affordable, and easy to mass-produce
One of the most compelling applications of SeeDevice’s SWIR technology is in healthcare—specifically in non-invasive glucose monitoring devices. Diabetes affects millions of people worldwide, and current glucose monitoring methods require painful finger pricks. SeeDevice’s sensors enable a non-invasive solution, allowing patients to place their fingers on a sensor to measure glucose levels without the need for needles. This solution is not only more convenient for users but also significantly more affordable than existing alternatives.
Furthermore, SeeDevice is targeting the automotive industry, particularly the rapidly growing market for autonomous vehicles. Traditional lidar systems, which are essential for self-driving cars, are costly and complicated to manufacture. SeeDevice’s sensors, however, offer a more cost-effective solution by providing accurate, long-range imaging. This has the potential to make autonomous vehicles more accessible and affordable, bringing self-driving technology to the mass market.
AFFORDABLE, SCALABLE, AND EFFICIENT
One of the defining features of SeeDevice’s SWIR technology is its affordability. While many advanced image sensors rely on rare materials that make them prohibitively expensive, SeeDevice’s sensors are made with pure silicon, allowing them to be produced at a fraction of the cost. With a production cost about ten dollars per chip, these image sensors offer significant savings compared to traditional alternatives, which can cost thousands of dollars per unit.
This affordability is paired with the company’s ability to mass-produce its sensors at a high yield rate. Many competitors face challenges in scaling their production due to low yields, which can lead to delays and increased prices. SeeDevice, on the other hand, has mastered the art of high-yield, mass production, ensuring it can meet global demand while keeping costs low.
From medical devices to consumer electronics, SeeDevice’s sensors are positioned to disrupt a variety of sectors, making advanced imaging technology accessible to businesses that may have previously been priced out of the market.
A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD
SeeDevice is preparing for a major leap in its growth trajectory. The company is set to begin mass production of its image sensors by the end of this year or early next year, marking a significant milestone in its journey. As the technology moves from prototype to full-scale manufacturing, SeeDevice plans to expand its applications to other industries, further solidifying its position as a leader in the image sensor space.
“We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with our technology,” Mr. Sean Oh, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Office at SeeDevice notes. “Over the next 18 to 24 months, we expect to see our technology adopted across a wide range of industries. The future is incredibly bright for SeeDevice.”
The company’s current focus is on refining its sensors for applications in automotive systems, healthcare, gaming, and agriculture, but it is also exploring new use cases. SeeDevice’s ultimate goal is to make high-performance, affordable SWIR sensors a standard feature in a variety of devices, helping businesses across different sectors improve their capabilities without incurring prohibitive costs.
