Researchers Atul Ingle and David Maier have received a development grant from Portland State University’s Venture Development Fund (UVDF). The award will enable Ingle, Maier and their students to build a working hardware prototype of their novel Single-Photon 3D Camera system, a critical step toward industry adoption and commercialization.
The technology addresses a major bottleneck in current 3D sensing systems, which are used in everything from smartphones and virtual reality to autonomous vehicles. While these systems can capture incredibly detailed 3D maps of their surroundings, they generate unmanageably high volumes of data—often hundreds of gigabytes per second. This data deluge limits their use in applications where power and bandwidth are constrained.
The core innovation, developed in the Portland State Computational Imaging Lab, is a new method for processing sensor data that cuts bandwidth consumption by more than 100-fold without sacrificing image quality. This breakthrough could unlock new capabilities for high-resolution 3D sensing on low-power mobile devices, robots, cars, drones, and defense applications.
"We are thrilled to receive this support from the University Venture Development Fund," said Dr. Ingle. "Current single-photon 3D cameras are like trying to drink from a firehose. Our technology processes the photon data stream in real time, making it possible to capture high-resolution 3D scene information in a package that is a hundred times more bandwidth efficient. This grant gives us the resources to prove our system works not just in simulations, but on a real hardware prototype that we can place in the hands of potential partners."
The University Venture Development Fund is designed to help university researchers advance promising technologies from the lab to the marketplace. By providing crucial early-stage funding, the UVDF helps bridge the gap between discovery and commercial viability, fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem and ensuring public research dollars lead to economic impact. Donations to the fund are eligible for a generous state tax credit, and awards like this one demonstrate how that support directly fuels Oregon's tech economy.
With the UVDF grant, the PSU innovators will build a fully integrated prototype, moving the technology from a readiness level of a lab-based concept to a functional system that can be demonstrated to industry leaders. This tangible demonstration is key to securing collaborations with 3D sensor and LiDAR companies who can test the technology and pilot real-world use cases for integrating it into their product pipelines.
“The University Venture Development Fund is crucial for bridging the gap between promising university research, such as low-bandwidth 3D imaging technology, and its commercial viability, transforming lab-based concepts into functional prototypes and fostering industry partnerships," said Travis Woodland, Director of Innovation & Intellectual Property
The project has already garnered positive feedback from major imaging and sensor companies. A successful hardware demonstration is the final piece needed to accelerate licensing conversations and a potential spin-out company from the PSU lab.
About Portland State University
As Oregon's only public urban research university, Portland State University (PSU) is a national model for student success, research, and community engagement. Located in the heart of downtown Portland, PSU offers more than 200 degree programs and is recognized for its innovative academic programs and commitment to sustainability, diversity, and social mobility.