TriEye is a pioneer of mass-market and CMOS-based Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) sensing solutions. And TriEye’s breakthrough and proprietary technology enables cost-effective, high-resolution image data and depth perception in all weather and lighting conditions. Pulse 2.0 interviewed TriEye co-founder and CEO Avi Bakal to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Avi Bakal’s Background
What is Avi Bakal’s background? Bakal said:
“I have a deep technical background from the university and the industry, focusing primarily on photonics and semiconductors. As CEO and co-founder of TriEye, I lead a multidisciplinary team of experts in developing innovative sensing solutions, including our groundbreaking CMOS-based Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) platform, which has reshaped how machines perceive their environments and make decisions in several industries. I always like to maintain and leverage our “unfair” advantage of being world experts in semiconductors and lasers to develop a platform and sensing solutions you will not find in the most advanced scientific journals. While keeping always our main mission and goal in mind – improve and save human lives by making SWIR technology accessible to everyone.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Bakal shared:
“Our solution is based on a decade of advanced nano-photonics research led by Prof. Uriel Levy, TriEye’s CTO and Co-Founder at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. I was Prof. Levy’s student then, and together, we recognized the business potential of his academic breakthrough with the support of Yissum, the university’s tech transfer arm.”
“The passion for this complex, deep technological solution, alongside my professional background in the high-tech industry, with the addition of a strong connection with my co-founders, were the reasons I felt confident to move forward and found TriEye. What keeps me motivated is our added value for clients, the amazing team we established, and the positive impact we create using SWIR sensing – starting with automotive and enabling many new applications across several industries.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Bakal explained:
“TriEye is the pioneer of the world’s-first cost-effective CMOS-based SWIR sensing solutions.”
“As a pioneer in the space, we developed two totally new HW components from scratch: an HD CMOS-based SWIR sensor and a high-peak power SWIR laser. Based on those two components, we enable high-definition SWIR imaging and accurate deterministic 3D depth sensing in all weather and ambient lighting conditions. The company’s semiconductor and photonics technology enabled the development of a new platform called SEDAR (Spectrum Enhanced Detection And Ranging), which allows perception systems to operate and deliver reliable image data and actionable information while reducing costs drastically.”
“We continue to drive our SWIR technology into new markets and have just released the first commercial product, the TES200, an image sensor for machine vision and robotic applications.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Bakal and the team face in building the company? Bakal acknowledged:
“The SWIR industry has long struggled with high costs and integration challenges, limiting its accessibility across various sectors. At TriEye, we’ve overcome these barriers by pioneering CMOS-based SWIR sensing solutions, drastically reducing costs without compromising performance. This breakthrough has opened the door to mass-market applications, allowing them to tap into the unique benefits of the SWIR spectrum and see beyond the visible.”
“One of the early challenges in developing the SEDAR platform was the lack of a suitable laser source. To unlock the potential of a CMOS-based SWIR 3D solution, we needed sufficient laser power at the right wavelength and pulse rate, which existing solutions couldn’t provide. To overcome this, we developed our own novel laser solution, which, when combined with Raven sensor technology, became the foundation of the SEDAR platform. This achievement truly reflects TriEye’s ability to turn challenges into opportunities, continuously driving the power of SWIR forward.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since its launch? Bakal noted:
“TriEye has expanded SWIR technology into diverse industries, evolving beyond it’s initial focus on automotive applications.”
” “”In 2024, as part of the Raven product family, we launched the TES200 CMOS-based SWIR sensor, designed for seamless integration into machine vision and robotic systems. With its adaptable design, the TES200 is ideal for use in warehouse logistics, smart farming, industrial sorting, robotics, and biometrics.”
“Over time, our technology has evolved to become smaller, more efficient, and highly adaptable, making it suitable for a growing range of industries and applications. As we continue to innovate, we remain committed to expanding our unprecedented vision solutions into new markets, ensuring SWIR technology is more accessible than ever.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Bakal cited:
“Some of TriEye’s most significant milestones include developing commercial products in record time, thanks to our team’s deep research and expertise. This has allowed us to bring innovative solutions to market quickly and efficiently. We’ve also secured meaningful funding to date, supported by top-tier VCs and industry leaders from around the globe, enabling us to accelerate our growth.”
“Our collaborations with leading OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers have been instrumental in shortening time to market, ensuring a strong product-market fit. Additionally, we’ve expanded into new markets, broadening our reach and impact across various industries. These milestones highlight our ability to innovate, scale, and build strong industry partnerships, positioning TriEye for continued success.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Bakal about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“We’ve secured partnerships with top industry leaders, showcasing the versatility and value of our solutions in solving real-world challenges. In automotive, we are working with Magna, a top tier 1, to deliver automotive-grade SEDAR. In industrial applications, some of our recent collaborations include Toshiba Teli, Crevis, and Entron—among others, developing the first low-cost CMOS-based SWIR cameras for machine vision systems. With more partnerships ahead in 2025, we continue to drive innovation in machine vision, industrial, and automotive applications.”
Funding
When asking Bakal about the company’s funding details, he revealed:
“TriEye has secured over $120 million of funding from top-tier investors, and we are pursuing over $100 billion market opportunities – diversified from Robotic systems to industrial-oriented applications.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Bakal affirmed:
“Both our technology and solutions differentiate ourselves by combining the performance and capabilities of SWIR wavelengths with the cost efficiency of CMOS manufacturing. This breakthrough allows TriEye to leverage SWIR imaging and sensing for both industrial machine vision solutions and autonomous depth sensing and ranging systems. With a cost structure suited for commercial-scale manufacturing, we are paving the way for mass production and the future of smart, reliable, and automated machine vision operations.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the future company goals? Bakal emphasized:
“Some of our future goals focus on creating real-world impact by improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability across industries. Beyond automotive, SWIR technology is driving advancements in fields like smart farming, healthcare, public safety, and environmental monitoring. For example, our TES200 sensor supports precision agriculture. To give some context to what it means in real life, think about optimizing crop management, reducing resource waste, and improving recycling systems. Eventually, it will help address food scarcity and environmental challenges. By making SWIR technology more accessible, we aim to enhance decision-making, improve lives and establish it as a standard tool across industries, enabling businesses to see beyond the visible and unlock new possibilities to improve human lives.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you would like to discuss? Bakal concluded:
“It’s been an exciting journey filled with innovation, growth, and collaboration. At TriEye, we’ve built an incredible team that continuously pushes the boundaries of SWIR technology, driving impactful solutions across industries. Every achievement is a testament to our collective effort, and we believe that true success comes from working together. As we continue to expand, evolve, and take on new challenges, we remain committed to delivering groundbreaking technology and shaping the future of advanced imaging and sensing solutions.”
