Robotics startup Lyte has officially launched, announcing it has raised $107 million in funding. On Monday, Lyte, an end-to-end integrated perception company for robots, announced the completion of a $107 million funding round from investors including Fidelity Management & Research Company, Atreides Management, and Exor Ventures. The Mountain View, California-based company introduced its flagship product, LyteVision, a system that integrates three sensor types to provide robots with immediately actionable data, enabling them to clearly observe their surroundings and act safely.
Lyte was founded in 2021 by three former Apple employees who were deeply involved in the development of the depth perception and recognition technology for Face ID. One of the founders, Alexander Shpunt, previously co-founded 3D sensing technology supplier PrimeSense, which was acquired by Apple for $350 million in 2013 and became the foundation for Face ID technology. According to data from consulting firm McKinsey, the AI robotics market is projected to reach $125 billion by 2030, yet 60% of industrial companies lack the internal capabilities to implement robotic automation, including sensor integration.
Core Team and Technical Pedigree
Lyte was co-founded by three former Apple employees: Alexander Shpunt, Arman Hajati, and Yuval Gerson. The trio played significant roles in developing the depth perception and recognition technology used in Apple's Face ID. Shpunt previously co-founded PrimeSense and served as its CTO, while Gerson also hailed from PrimeSense. Beyond Face ID, PrimeSense is also renowned for providing the technical foundation for Microsoft's Kinect, one of the first mass-produced computer vision products. As reported by Bloomberg, Shpunt stated:
We are trying to bring the best of what Apple taught us—the attention to detail, operational excellence, and how to inspire and delight customers—to the robotics market.
Shpunt stated that Lyte aims to become the "visual brain" for robots, acting as both the eyes and the visual cortex, with a focus on perception and recognition technology.
Building the Robotic "Visual Brain"
LyteVision integrates three sensor types: cameras, inertial motion sensing, and 4D sensors, the latter of which can measure distance and velocity. The system consolidates positional and visual data on a single platform. Shpunt said:
We realized that perception—or enabling robots to understand their actions, ensure safety, and react instantly to the world—is the problem we wanted to solve.
Furthermore, Lyte is building custom chips, optics, and software to streamline the vendor selection process for robotics companies. The company stated that a major challenge in the robotics industry is the lengthy sensor integration process, which can take years before a product is ready. Lyte's solution is to offer a plug-and-play system that integrates sensors and other components within a single infrastructure.
Market Prospects and Expansion Plans
Lyte did not disclose its current customers but indicated that its technology can be applied to various forms of robots, from humanoids and mobile robots to autonomous taxis. Although the robotics industry faces numerous challenges such as battery life, mobility, and safety, Shpunt believes Lyte can make meaningful progress in the safety domain within the next three to five years. The company plans to use the newly acquired funds to invest in its core product, hire more employees, and scale its operations. Lyte currently has approximately 100 employees and is preparing for further expansion. The investor lineup also includes a group of private investors led by Israeli entrepreneur Avigdor Willenz, Key1 Capital, and VentureTech Alliance.
