Himax and Calumino Collaborate to Unveil Next-Gen CMOS Imager-Based Optical Thermal Sensor By Investing.com

Unlocking the future of thermal imaging with superior sensitivity, AI power, privacy protection and an affordable price

TAINAN, Taiwan and SYDNEY, Jan. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Himax Technologies (NASDAQ: ), Inc. (Himax or Company) (Nasdaq: HIMX), an industry leader in fabless display driver ICs and other semiconductors, and Calumino Pty. Ltd. (Calumino), a leader in intelligent thermal imaging solutions, today announced their strategic partnership and the introduction of their innovative optical thermal sensor based on a CMOS imager, marking a significant step forward in AI thermal sensing and imaging across industries.

At CES 2025, Himax and Calumino are joining forces to introduce a co-developed optical thermal sensor, leveraging Himax’s extensive expertise in ultra-low power WiseEye^™ AI processor, WiseEye2 and HM0360 low-power CMOS image sensor, with Calumi’s proprietary CMOS and MOMS (Micro-Opto-Mechanical System) technologies. This industry-leading CMOS imager-based optical thermal sensor with on-device edge artificial intelligence offers superior cost and performance, intelligent feature detection, and commercial scalability to accelerate the development and commercialization of advanced thermal sensing solutions.

“We are thrilled to partner with Himax to bring our vision of an affordable and intelligent thermal sensor to life,” said Dr. Marek Steffanson, CEO of Calumino. This collaboration allows us to push the boundaries of what is possible in thermal technology and lay the groundwork for the launch of a transformative product later this year.

Key features and benefits of Calumino thermal sensor products:

• High sensitivity and accuracy: Superior thermal detection even in challenging environmental conditions with 10x better sensitivity/performance than conventional thermoelectric batteries
• Ultralow Power AI integration: Calumin’s AI algorithms, using Himax WiseEye2 ultra-low-power AI processor and HM0360 low-power CMOS image sensor, enable advanced functions such as accurate people detection and counting, assisted living, predictive maintenance, health monitoring and enhanced security, all with minimal power consumption
• Privacy protection: Calumin’s thermal sensor offers optimized resolution to detect human presence, counting and activity in indoor use cases, while not being able to recognize human features or identify people, ensuring strong privacy protection
• Compact design: Facilitating seamless integration across industries including commercial real estate, senior care, security, industrial monitoring, IoT systems, consumer devices and more
• Low power and battery operation: Offering industry-leading energy efficiency, powered by the ultra-low power Himax WiseEye2 AI processor and CMOS image sensor, enabling battery operation with easy plug-and-play implementation
• Affordable prices: With the goal of democratizing access to thermal imaging, making it viable for consumer, commercial and industrial markets

At Himax, our focus is on enabling next-generation solutions through our advanced, versatile technologies, including WiseEye AI, CMOS image sensors, optics and a wide range of semiconductor expertise and solutions, said Jordan Wu, president and CEO of Himax. Our collaboration with Calumina underscores our commitment to driving innovation and delivering value to our customers. CES product samples provide a glimpse into the future of this exciting technology.

Thermal sensing technologies are increasingly important in modern applications, enabling advanced functionalities such as energy efficiency, improved safety measures and automation in various sectors. Calumin’s proprietary technology stands out for its ability to deliver a unique blend of high performance, low cost, privacy protection, low power consumption, along with sophisticated on-device edge artificial intelligence. These features position Calumin’s solutions as game changers in the sensor space, addressing key challenges in industries ranging from smart infrastructure to next-generation consumer devices.

The strategic partnership between Himax and Calumino will also prioritize innovative advances in CMOS imager-based optical thermal sensing and scalable manufacturing process development to deliver high-quality solutions at competitive prices, thereby driving wider adoption. Focusing on simplified manufacturing techniques and leveraging Himax’s extensive expertise in semiconductor design, WiseEye ultra-low power^™ AI sensor technology, various CMOS image sensors and innovative optical solutions and manufacturing capabilities, the partnership aims to ensure that thermal imaging technology is accessible to a wide range of markets, increasing both cost efficiency and scalability.

The final product, launched in late 2025, highlights the companies’ shared vision of using advanced technology to solve real-world challenges. One of the latest examples includes a case study that showed that Calumino Thermal Sensors with Himax WiseEye AI processor and CMOS image sensor can save up to 40% energy in commercial real estate, compared to traditional sensors. This partnership with Himax is expected to accelerate the deployment of these technologies, bringing tangible benefits to consumers and industries worldwide.

Himax and Calumino invite all interested parties to stop by our exhibition booth at The Venetian Las Vegas Hotel (3355 Las Vegas Boulevard S, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) Venetian Tower Suite 34-208 to experience our superior intelligent thermal imaging solutions. To schedule a meeting or booth tour, please contact Himax at Himax_CES2025@himax.com.tw or Calumino at info@calumino.com.

About Calumino Pty. Ltd.

Calumino is a pioneer of transformative thermal sensing technology, redefining industries with insights and control. As the creators of the world’s first high-performance yet affordable thermal sensor, we bring intelligent readings to diverse markets, globally. By combining thermal imaging sensors with cutting-edge artificial intelligence, we are revolutionizing the way technology creators are reimagining our living and working spaces for the future. Our world-class team brings decades of expertise in micro- and nano-manufacturing, optical assembly, AI software and IoT platforms.

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About Himax Technologies, Inc.

Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a leading global provider of fabless semiconductor solutions dedicated to display image processing technologies. The company’s display driver ICs and timing controllers have been widely adopted in various industries worldwide, including TVs, PC monitors, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, automobiles, ePaper devices, industrial displays, among others. As the global market share leader in automotive display technology, the company offers innovative and comprehensive automotive IC solutions, including traditional drivers, advanced in-cell touch and display driver integration (TDDI), Local Dimming Tcon controllers, large Touch and Display Driver Integration (LTDI) and OLED display technologies. Himax is also a pioneer in tinyML visual-AI and fields related to optical technology. WiseEye, the industry leader^™ Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology incorporating Himax’s proprietary ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor and CNN-based AI algorithm has been widely applied in consumer electronics and AIoT-related applications. Himax optical technologies, such as wafer-level diffraction optics, LCoS microdisplays and 3D sensing solutions, are key to facilitating new AR/VR/metaverse technologies. Additionally, Himax designs and offers touch controllers, OLED ICs, LED ICs, EPD ICs, power management ICs, and CMOS image sensors for a diverse coverage of display applications. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax currently employs approximately 2,200 people from three Taiwanese offices in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei, and from national offices in China, Korea, Japan, Germany and the US. Himax has 2,649 granted patents and 402 pending patents worldwide as of December 31, 2024.

http://www.himax.com.tw

Forward-looking statements

Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in this conference call include, but are not limited to, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations; general business and economic conditions and the state of the semiconductor industry; market acceptance and competitiveness of driver and non-driver products developed by the Company; demand for end-use products; reliance on a small group of major customers; uncertainty of continued success in technological innovation; our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property; price pressure including a decline in average selling prices; changes in customer ordering patterns; changes in the estimated effective tax rate for the entire year; lack of supply of key components; changes in laws and regulations on environmental protection; changes in the export license regulated by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR); exchange rate fluctuations; regulatory approvals for further investments in our subsidiaries; our ability to collect receivables and manage inventory and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including those risks identified in the section entitled “Risk Factors” on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 with the SEC -om, as it can be modified.