BYD, CATL invest in d-ToF sensor chip supplier visionICs

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Nanjing visionICs Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. (visionICs), a Chinese d-ToF (direct time-of-flight) sensor supplier, recently added to its lineup of shareholders several new members, including an industrial investment fund backed by CATL, BYD Company Limited, and Goermicro (a leading MEMS player who also serves automotive electronics industry), according to the corporate database Tianyancha.

Registered capital of visionICs has grown to 1.908 million yuan ($301,440) from 1.803 million yuan ($284,930).

visionICs' booth at the 2021 China International Optoelectronic Exposition; photo credit: visionICs

According to a local media outlet, visionICs has closed a new found of industrial financing with hundreds of millions of yuan raised. The round was led by the aforementioned CATL-backed fund, and attracted investors including BYD and Goermicro.

The proceeds will be mainly used for the volume production of chips, the R&D of advanced d-ToF sensor technologies, helping visionICs further strengthen its leadership in single-photon d-ToF sensor domain, boost external cooperation, and speed up the R&D and innovation in next-generation products.

Founded in April 2018, visionICs is mainly engaged in one-dimensional and three-dimensional ToF sensor chips based on single photon detection. Its chip products have been widely used in many consumer electronics fields such as floor sweepers, UAVs and mobile phones, as well as such applications as AR/VR, smart home and autonomous driving LiDAR.