Irish tech firm Movidius signs major camera deal with FLIR Systems in the US

Irish technology company Movidius has continued its stellar 2016 with the announcement of its third major deal just four months into the new year.

The Dublin-founded chipmaker has teamed up with leading US thermal imaging technology company FLIR Systems to help create the world’s most intelligent thermal imaging solution.

The collaboration will bring FLIR’s existing technology together with Movidius’ virtual processing unit and marry artificial intelligence with thermal imaging products for the first time ever.

Based in Oregon, FLIR Systems is the largest commercial maker of thermal imaging cameras and imaging sensors in the world.

Its technology helped police capture Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev during a city-wide manhunt in 2013.

The tie-up with Movidius will further improve FLIR’s technology across a range of uses in the security and aviation sectors as well as personal uses, said Movidius CEO Remi El-Ouazzane.

“The state-of-the-art in-computer vision has come a tremendous way in the last few years,” said Mr El-Ouazzane. “FLIR has developed the first-ever integrated solution that now allows customers to take advantage of these new advancements while continuing to leverage FLIR’s unique thermal imaging technology and support ecosystem.”

The tiny chips Movidius makes — which are three times more powerful, five times more battery-efficient, and 10 times smaller than competitors — help cameras recognise objects and people.

The announcement marks Movidius’ third significant deal of the year after collaborations with drone and camera tech manufacturer DJI and a bumper deal with search giant Google.

As part of the Google partnership, the Dublin-founded company, now headquartered in Silicon Valley, will power Google’s new virtual reality headset with its chips.

The company was established in Dublin a decade ago by David Moloney and Sean Mitchell.

It subsequently opened its offices in San Mateo, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley and last year established its first dedicated Chinese office in Shanghai.

Movidius also closed a Series E funding round in 2015 which saw it raise $40m.