Core Viewpoint - Lumotive Inc. has raised $14 million in funding to advance its innovative chip technology that enables the direction of laser beams without moving parts, enhancing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of LiDAR sensors [3][4]. Funding and Financials - The recent funding round was led by Amazon's Industrial Innovation Fund and ITHCA Group, following a previous $45 million Series B round completed in February [3]. - The CEO of Lumotive, Sam Heidari, noted that the demand for this funding exceeded initial expectations, leading to the decision to reopen funding channels to existing investors [3]. Technology Overview - Lumotive's chips are designed to power LiDAR sensors, which create 3D maps of the environment using laser beams [3]. - The flagship chip, LM10, utilizes a technology called "light-controlling super-surface," which employs liquid crystal materials to manipulate the direction of light [5][6]. - The LM10 chip can be customized to reflect light at different angles through electrical control, making it versatile for various environments, such as urban settings and highways [5]. Applications and Market Potential - The technology is not limited to the LiDAR market; it can also be applied in data center switches to manage light flow in fiber optic cables, and has potential uses in devices ranging from smartphones to satellites [7][8]. - Lumotive plans to begin selling its chips in 2024 and aims to maintain a focused customer base while expanding its sales and marketing efforts with the new funding [4][8].