TDK has acquired SoftEye, Inc., a U.S.-based system solutions company specializing in custom chips, cameras, software, and algorithms for smart glasses applications. Following the acquisition, SoftEye becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of TDK, marking a significant step in TDK¡¯s development of artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystems and its strategy to lead in this market.
SoftEye¡¯s Technology and Capabilities
Headquartered in San Diego, California, SoftEye focuses on integrating users with generative AI through its end-to-end system, which includes custom chips, cameras, and algorithms. Its always-on chip and sensor systems use hardware- and software-based eye-movement intent control technology to enable low-power eye tracking and object recognition. This technology is critical for delivering complete augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) display systems and establishing a new human-machine interface (HMI) that allows interaction with AI through eye movements.
Strategic Impact of the Acquisition
The acquisition enables TDK to accelerate the delivery of comprehensive smart glasses systems. SoftEye¡¯s expertise in algorithms, cameras, and low-power chip design strengthens TDK¡¯s ability to advance consumer applications of AI-related technologies. The collaboration aims to deliver integrated solutions encompassing systems, software, machine learning, and custom chips, creating intuitive and powerful user experiences for smart glasses users.
About SoftEye
Founded in March 2022, SoftEye develops AI-driven foundational technologies for smart glasses. Its products feature computer vision, real-time recognition in low-power systems, AI algorithms optimized for low-power architectures, and capabilities for object description and associative memory. The company maintains engineering teams in San Diego, Seoul, and Taipei.
Terminology
- AI: Artificial Intelligence
- AR: Augmented Reality
- VR: Virtual Reality
- HMI: Human-Machine Interface
- Smart Glasses: Wearable computing devices integrated into glasses, offering enhanced functionality beyond traditional eyewear
- Machine Learning: The use and development of computer systems that analyze data, infer conclusions from patterns, and adapt without explicit instructions, using algorithms and statistical models
