It would appear that Samsung has an eye on 3D glasses-free technology for mobile devices and even televisions.
Samsung Ventures has invested $15 million in 3D technology company MasterImage 3D.
“We are committing this investment to innovation — specifically, to advancing our 3D solutions for cinema, smartphones, tablets, and larger autostereoscopic displays,” said Younghoon Lee, chairman and CEO of MasterImage, in a released statement. “We will continue to build toward our vision of 3D on every screen.”
While the company didn’t offer many additional details of its research and development efforts, Matt Liszt, MasterImage’s vp of marketing, told The Hollywood Reporter that in consumer electronics, R&D will include continued work on its patented cell-matrix parallax barrier 3D technology that enables the viewer to watch 3D — glasses free — on a mobile devices.
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This MasterImage technology enabled one of the world’s first glasses-free 3D mobile phones — the Hitashi Wooo — and is now talking with potential partners about offering additional smartphones and tablets equipped with its 3D displays later this year.
MasterImage 3D is perhaps best known as a supplier of 3D digital cinema systems, which are now installed in nearly 60 countries.
“The company was early to market with auto-stereoscopic 3D mobile displays and has built a significant business in 3D cinema,” said Ilseok Yoon, managing director of Samsung Ventures America. “MasterImage 3D has demonstrated both a technical and business vision in driving adoption of 3Dand we lookforward to contributing to the progress MasterImage 3D has made in all facets of consumer entertainment and communication.”
Earlier this year, MasterImage introduced a new chip designed to bring 3D into lower priced smartphones, as well as consumer video cameras.
It was also part of a recent technology demonstration that allowed a hologram to be played from a portable device.
Launched at the Consumer Electronics Show, Samsung’s 3D consumer electronics lineup includes 3D TVs and Blu-ray players.
