Projector funding

Light Blue Optics, the Cambridge, UK-based developer of laser-based projection systems, has raised $15m (£9.1m) in funding from Robert Bosch Venture Capital, the 3i Group, Earlybird Venture Capital, Capital-E and NESTA.

The company's first product – a projection engine suitable for integration into an accessory pico-projector – is scheduled for release to OEM customers in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Uniquely, the projection system can be touch-enabled, meaning any flat surface such as a table can be transformed into a touch-sensitive display, eliminating the need for a touch screen and allowing users to interact with multimedia content in new ways.

What is more, it can deliver a throw angle (the angle at which the image leaves the projector aperture) greater than 100^o, creating large images at extremely close proximity to the projector aperture.

Since it uses laser light sources, there is no need for a manual focus control as images remain in focus at all distances from the projector. Images can also be projected onto curved or angled surfaces without distortion.