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MIGOSA - Image Sensor for low light Camera Applications

Project description

Extremely low-light image sensor moves closer to commercialisation

Electronic photosensors have replaced films in digital cameras. Despite their wide use for decades, their ability to retain a satisfying image quality at low light levels is poor. Finland-based company Pixpolar Oy has developed and patented a new type of image sensor called modified internal gate (MIG), which delivers enhanced image quality in low-light conditions compared to existing image sensor technologies. Cameras equipped with MIG image sensors extend the maximum detection range 1.6 times and are immune to electromagnetic interference. The EU-funded MIGOSA project aims to further test these low-light MIG image sensors and move them closer to commercialisation. The sensors could be used in security/surveillance and night vision cameras in numerous industries.

Objective

Challenge: One of the biggest global challenges in the low-light camera applications e.g. in the video
surveillance is the need to significantly improve image quality and identification in low light. Even software
enhanced low light images remain blurred and are unsuited to automated image-recognition demonstrating
the need to develop more efficient image sensors.
Solution: Cameras with Pixpolar’s low light image sensor (MIG technology) capture both visible light and
Near Infra-Red (NIR) light that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Cameras equipped with MIG image sensors extend 1.6 times the maximum detection range compared to existing technology. It allows superior identification of objects, and is immune to interference. It also allows a 80% reduction in illumination cost or 60% reduction in the number of cameras required for area surveillance at cost lower than the cost of present technology. A prototype MIG pixel has been made, tested and validated.
Business opportunity: MIG image sensor is a game changing technology. The advantages of the MIG
technology enables Pixpolar to enter the large global image sensor market (USD 15.2B by 2020). The MIG
technology was demonstrated in Horizon 2020 Phase 1 to many camera producers and camera end
users. They all saw great market opportunity in embedding MIG image sensors in their cameras. A solid
business case can be secured by targeting first 5-10 camera manufacturers, from which further business
expansion can be nurtured. In February 2018 the business case was also endorsed by an investment of 2 million EUR from an international investor consortium.
The purpose of the MIGOSA project: To accomplish test production of low light MIG image sensors and to start the commercialization of the image sensors. This will open the large business potential in the fields of Security and Surveillance (S&S), night vision, maritime and scientific markets as well as later in the automotive, aviation, drone, industrial, and medical markets.

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

PIXPOLAR OY
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.

€ 2 072 262,50
Address
OTAKAARI 5
02150 ESPOO
Finland

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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
Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa
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.

€ 2 960 375,00
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