“One of the technology’s key advantages, Airy3D says, is that it can offer 3D imaging at a much lower cost than systems based on specially designed hardware.”

Another computer vision specialist is announcing millions of dollars in investor backing: Montreal-based Airy3D says it has brought in $10 million (USD) through a series-A funding round.

The company’s DepthIQ technology is designed to infuse 2D imaging sensors with 3D depth data, drawing on ‘optical physics’ – in other words, calculations aimed at determining depth data based on 2D images. One of the technology’s key advantages, Airy3D says, is that it can offer 3D imaging at a much lower cost than systems based on specially designed hardware.

Airy3D says its DepthIQ technology can facilitate facial, gesture, and object recognition; and that it offers applications spanning mobile devices, smart home products, drones, robotics, and smart cars, among others.

Its series-A funding round was led by Intel Capital, and featured contributions from CRCM Ventures, Nautilus Venture Partners, Robert Bosch Venture Capital, R7 Partners, WI Harper Group, and investors affiliated with TandemLaunch, a startup incubator out of which Airy3D emerged. In announcing the financing, Airy3D joins multiple other emerging AI and computer vision specialists currently enjoying heightened excitement from investors around the world.

Airy3D says its new financial backing will help it “to advance its licensing roadmap for the first commercial applications” of DepthIQ with “top-tier mobile OEMs” next year.