Intel Capital earmarks $100 million for ‘perceptual’ computing technologies, including biometrics

Intel Capital is putting together a $100 million fund for ‘perceptual’ computing technologies, including biometrics.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Intel Capital, the investment wing of Intel has said the fund will invest in firms making software and applications such as imaging, gesture and voice control, emotion sensing and also, biometrics.

Making the announcement, Gregory Bryant, Intel vice-president for the Asia-Pacific region said the technologies will be prevalent and will enhance the way users interact with computers, during an interview with the Journal this week at Computex, a computer trade show in Taiwan.

“The idea of the $100 million fund is you go find companies that have those kinds of innovative breakthroughs and help get them to work,” Bryant said in the interview.

The company has been exploring the possibilities for more than a year, and has recently launched a competition with $1 million in prizes for developers who use Intel’s SDKs, Relaxnews reports.

Reported previously, Intel Capital has previously invested in the biometric space. In December, the venture group completed a strategic investment in Validity Sensors, as a part of the company’s Series E financing.  Including Intel’s invesment, along with others from World Fair and DDS bring the total Series E capital commitments to more than $22 million.

Article Topics

gesture  |  Intel  |  Intel Capital