Pelican Imaging Secures Strategic Investment from IQT
July 28, 2010
Pelican Imaging Corporation, a pioneer in computational cameras for the mobile market, today announced a strategic investment and technology development agreement with In-Q-Tel (IQT). IQT is the independent, strategic investment firm that identifies innovative technology solutions to support the mission of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
Squeezed by industrial design constraints (thinner and smaller cameras) and the “megapixel myth” (the mistaken belief that more pixels mean better quality), Smartphone manufacturers and consumers face two critical problems: poor image quality and a stagnating feature set. For traditional camera architectures, the push towards more megapixels in small form factors shrinks the pixel size and compromises its light-gathering capabilities. This has a direct negative impact on overall imaging performance.
Pelican solves these problems by introducing a novel camera architecture coupled with patent-pending software algorithms. The result is a powerful and disruptive technology that provides simultaneous advantages in critical camera performance parameters: low-light sensitivity, dynamic range, white balance, anti-shake, near focus, and low-power photography – while continuing to enable high resolution, ultra-thin cameras.
“Pelican Imaging’s high-resolution, wafer-scale cameras will tap into a highly-compelling consumer market and enable better camera phones,” said William Strecker, Executive Vice President of Architecture & Engineering and CTO at IQT. “In a multimedia rich age, this technology has the potential to significantly impact the future of digital imaging, video, and photography.”
“We are pleased to be included as part of IQT’s portfolio of innovative companies,” said Aman Jabbi, CEO of Pelican Imaging. “Pelican’s software and camera architecture opens up a world of rich photography applications never seen before on consumer cameras. This partnership allows Pelican to continue on its path to commercializing miniature cameras and enabling strategic imaging applications.”
The specific terms of the agreement and details of the technology development agreement are not disclosed.
About Pelican Imaging
Pelican Imaging Corporation is a venture-backed startup in the business of commercializing computational cameras for the Smartphone market. The company is building a new camera technology that directly addresses the challenges posed by conventional camera design, small pixels and the megapixel race. Pelican’s technology will result in better photographs and video at a competitive price point. For more information, go to www.pelicanimaging.com.