LG Innotek partners with Microsoft as it venture into the 3D sensing business

LG Innotek was confirmed to be signing a deal with Microsoft for the expansion of its 3D sensing business. It was said that the American computer software giant agreed to the partnership, and more details were revealed on Monday, March 8.

The deal for LG’s plans mass-produce the ToF modules

The Korea Times reported that LG Innotek signed a memorandum of understanding or MOU with Microsoft Corporation so they can work together in the development and production of time-of-flight (ToF) modules that will be utilized for MS’ Azure cloud computing service.

The South Korean company is said to be aiming at mass-producing these modules by the second half of this year. This ToF module has been described as the main component in 3D sensing cameras that can be used for many things like capturing 3D images and distance measurement.

This is also found in smartphones and wearable devices as the module is applied here for various functions such as motion recognition, biometric authentication, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). Apparently, the ToF is an important component in advanced devices being used today.

On the other hand, as per The Korea Herald, Microsoft’s Azure is a cloud computing service that is said to be the 2020’s second-largest in the global cloud computing market. To prove how much this is being used around the world, Azure is the choice of international companies, including AT&T, Walt Disney, Walgreens, and SAP.

The terms of the partnership

In any case, under LG Innotek and Microsoft’s MOU, the former will form a new ToF module for the Azure platform. LG Innotek will be using the latter’s advanced 3D-sensing module technologies for the project.

The module will then be installed on wearable gadgets and the likes to serve as data input devices that are connected to the Azure service. As mentioned, Microsoft will allow LG Innotek to use its 3D-sensing system and work together to gain more customers.

"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, LG Innotek’s chief of the Optics Solution Product Planning Division, said.