Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
LG Innotek joins hands with Microsoft for 3D sensing biz
An LG Innotek employee poses with the company's 3D sensing ToF module, Monday. Courtesy of LG Innotek
By Baek Byung-yeul
By Baek Byung-yeul
LG Innotek CEO Jeong Cheol-dong / Courtesy of LG Innotek
LG Innotek is entering into a partnership with U.S. computer software giant Microsoft to expand into the fast-growing 3D sensing module business, the LG Group affiliate said Monday.
The company said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Microsoft for cooperation in developing and supplying time-of-flight (ToF) modules, which will be used for the latter's Azure cloud computing service. LG Innotek aims to mass produce the modules in the second half of 2021.
The ToF module is a core component in 3D sensing cameras that can be used for measuring distance and capturing 3D images. Smartphones and wearable devices using this module can have functions such as biometric authentication, motion recognition, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), the company said.
“With the MOU, LG Innotek will develop a ToF module for the Microsoft Azure platform, using its leading-edge 3D sensing module technologies. The ToF module will be mounted on wearable devices and such to act as a data input device linked with the Azure service. LG Innotek expects to mass-produce their ToF modules in the second half of this year,” a company official said.
The two companies will also cooperate on developing new markets by carrying out promotional activities to secure new customers in various areas such as fitness, healthcare, retail and logistics.
In the training sector, a 3D sensing camera linked with the Azure cloud computing service can precisely monitor the motions of a user. In healthcare, the camera can be used to measure the posture and body shape of patients, conduct robotic surgery and detect a patient getting out of bed.
The module can be used to manage inventory, prevent theft and analyze the flow of customer traffic in the retail and logistics industries.
“This MOU will be a good opportunity to expand application areas for our 3D sensing modules beyond smartphones, as we will utilize our global No. 1 business capability in the smartphone market,” Eun Jong-yun, head of the Optics Solution Product Planning Division at LG Innotek, said.