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Cambridge firm raises US$40 million for smartphone bid

Cambridge firm raises US$40 million for smartphone bid

Business news |
By Peter Clarke



Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd. (Cambridge, England), has raised more than US$40 million to expand the use of its shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator technology in smartphone camera focusing and beyond.

The funding round was led Atlantic Bridge with Intel Capital, Supernova Invest and Sony Innovation Fund also participating. It is intended to enable a “rapid expansion” of CML’s actuator and controller IC product ranges, the company said.

SMA actuators can be used to perform precision movements of camera components to achieve autofocus and optical image stabilisation. Compared to the incumbent voice coil motor technology, SMA is more compact, lower weight and free from electromagnetic interference, CML said.

CML founded in 1995 has shipped 70 million products to date and has design wins in several smartphone cameras. The company’s SMA Variable Aperture product provides continuous aperture control in a smaller form-factor than existing solutions. Its patented technology is able to hold components stable during image capture whilst consuming no power.

CML has over 700 patents either granted or pending.

CML can also expand beyond smartphone imaging to applications healthcare, interactive entertainment, and beyond. One example is in microfluidics where SMA can be used for small-format drug delivery systems. SMA-driven haptics can be used for physical feedback in smartphone and game controllers.

Related links and articles:

www.cambridgemechatronics.com

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