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Low-power consumption, heavy-metal-free wide-spectrum image sensors for mass-market computer vision applications

Project description

Image sensor technology for computer vision applications

The imaging industry is undergoing significant changes driven by trends such as autonomous cars, the metaverse and service robotics, all powered by computer vision. However, current imaging technologies are more tailored to humans than machines. Qurv is a company dedicated to reimagining image sensors to ensure their reliable and robust performance in low-visibility conditions. Their goal is to tackle issues like power consumption and the use of toxic materials, leveraging their world-class expertise. The EU-funded QSTACK project aims to develop and test a cost-effective image sensor technology specifically designed for power-sensitive computer vision applications. This project seeks to position the European semiconductor industry strategically to capitalise on computer vision applications, with potential impacts on consumer electronics, healthcare and mobility.

Objective

The imaging industry is experiencing a paradigm shift due to megatrends such as autonomous cars, the metaverse and service robotics, all applications powered by computer vision (CV). This subset of artificial intelligence (Al) is expected to contribute more than 2 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

Present imaging technologies were designed to fulfil the needs of humans for high-quality photography but not for machines. Autonomous and intelligent systems will require re-inventing image sensors to deliver reliability and resilience under low-visibility conditions while increasing the amount of information they capture and analyse. Qurv, a company operating in this space that brings together unique world expertise, has identified power consumption and toxic materials as the common drawbacks of current solutions, hindering mass-market uptake.

To address these challenges, the project QSTACK will develop and validate a wide-spectrum image sensor technology and business case that delivers unprecedented cost performance to mass-market, power-sensitive computer vision applications. This ambitious overarching aim will be achieved through the following objectives:

i. Achieve the integration of high-performance wide-spectrum CMOS / TMDC / heavy-metal-free stack SWIR sensitive image sensors as demonstrated by imaging and electrical characterisation analysis.
ii. Achieve a reduction of the total image sensors power consumption, enabled by a >1,000x decrease in the pixel engine power consumption.
iii. Increase the investment readiness of QSTACK, as demonstrated by the number of early users interested in pilots and evaluation kits, together with the creation of investment material.

QSTACK envisions putting the European semiconductor industry in an advantageous position to seize the opportunity in mass-market computer vision applications that will have an enormous impact on consumer electronics, personalised health, and safe mobility.

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Topic(s)

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HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2022-TRANSITION-01

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Coordinator

QURV TECHNOLOGIES SL
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 370 937,50
Address
CL ESTEVE TERRADES NUM.1 OFICINA 320
08860 Castelldefels
Spain

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Este Cataluña Barcelona
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 2 370 937,50
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