DENSO Invests in Semiconductor Laser Technology Startup TriLumina

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Apr 07, 2016, 11:00 ET

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DENSO International America, Inc. has invested in TriLumina Corp., an innovative semiconductor laser technology company that focuses on providing light sources for LiDAR and interior illumination products. DENSO is looking to speed up the adoption of LiDAR and driver monitoring technologies in Advanced Driver Assistance systems, which are key technologies used in autonomous vehicles. This strategic investment enables TriLumina to gain broader access to the automotive market.

TriLumina has developed eye-safe semiconductor lasers that are among the most versatile laser illuminator solutions available in the market. TriLumina is helping to accelerate the automotive industry's adoption of semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles by providing lasers for 100 percent solid-state LiDAR products and advanced driver monitoring systems (DMS).

"As a supplier of advanced driver assistance systems, DENSO is eager to work closely with TriLumina to bring high-performance, cost effective light source solutions to the market," said Tony Cannestra, director of Corporate Ventures for DENSO International America, Inc.

TriLumina is targeting LiDAR and DMS in the Advance Driver Assistance System, as well as depth sensing and gesture control for the industrial robotics, commercial and consumer electronics markets.

"It's critical to work with leading Tier 1 suppliers like DENSO as we introduce and deploy technology that will shape the automotive industry for years to come. It's a tremendous endorsement of our technology to have DENSO engage as one of our Tier 1 partners, work with us to become qualified, and help fuel development," said Kirk Otis, chief executive officer of TriLumina.

DENSO's Silicon Valley office actively works with startup companies, and through these types of partnerships expects to gain access to new technologies in the areas of autonomous drive, electric vehicles, transportation, batteries, and energy storage while also expanding DENSO's overall presence and visibility within entrepreneurial networks.

TriLumina is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico and is a semiconductor laser technology company that develops, manufactures and integrates among the fastest and most powerful semiconductor laser solutions in the world. TriLumina near infrared (IR) emitters are capable of high power illumination for laser radar, depth sensing and smart illumination. The company is targeting LiDAR and DMS applications in Advance Driver Assistance Systems, as well as, depth sensing and gesture control for the industrial robotics, commercial and consumer electronics markets.

About DENSO: DENSO Corp., headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs more than 140,000 people. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, totaled US$35.9 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 9.2 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.globaldenso.com, or visit our media website at www.densomediacenter.com.

About DENSO in North America: In North America, DENSO employs more than 22,000 people at 30 consolidated companies and affiliates. Of these, 25 are manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States alone, DENSO employs more than 14,000 people in California, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Arkansas. DENSO's North American consolidated sales totaled US$8.0 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015. For more information, go to www.densocorp-na.com.