Portable laser projector company raises $15m

Cambridge mini-projector company Light Blue Optics has raised $15m to expand its range of laser-based pico projection systems. The money will enable LBO to accelerate its product development roadmap across multiple markets including automotive, industrial and consumer electronics. The Company’s first product – a projection engine suitable for integration into an accessory pico projector to sit in or alongside a smartphone – is scheduled for release to OEM customers in Q4 09.
A unique aspect of the projection system is it can be touch-enabled, meaning any flat surface such as a table can be instantly transformed into a touch-sensitive display, eliminating the need for a touch screen and allowing users to interact with multi-media content.

Light Blue Optics’ CEO, Dr. Chris Harris said “This $15 million financing round will enable LBO to accelerate its product development roadmap and address a wider range of applications. It’s a very exciting opportunity, not least in the consumer electronics space where the market for pico projectors has been forecast to exceed US$1 billion within 5 years. We now have the world-beating technology, experienced team and strong investor syndicate in place to realise that opportunity and become the world’s leading supplier of miniature projection systems.”

LBO showed its first product in June, a projection engine suitable for integration into an accessory pico projector. This is scheduled for release to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Q4 09.
The engine creates a bright, high-quality video and still WVGA – QVGA images, producing 10 lumens or more depending on the content shown. As the technology is laser-based, images remain in focus at all distances from the projector and the need for a focus wheel is eliminated. A unique optical architecture enables the systems to be safe under all conditions of normal use, meeting the most stringent Class 1 laser safety classification and opening up a range of high-volume applications in markets such as consumer electronics.
LBO’s proprietary technology has an ultra-wide throw angle and the ability to correct for optical aberrations using software. These features enable LBO’s miniature projection systems to switch between conventional front projection onto a wall and a novel table-down projection mode where the device is placed on a table and the content is projected down onto the surface in front of it. The user is then able to view and share content in a comfortable way, without needing to hold the projector steady in their hand for extended periods of time.
An additional product configuration allows the user to control the projector and interact with multimedia content simply by touching the projected image. Any flat surface such as a table can be instantly transformed into a touch-sensitive display, eliminating the need for a touch screen and opening up new opportunities in device, application and user-interface design.