The Fourth Law and Odd Systems have unveiled Project Foundation, a semiconductor initiative to mass-produce uncooled thermal sensors in Europe and the United States.
The companies say the project aims to quadruple European thermal sensor output and double US output within three years, expanding production capacity for defense and civilian applications.
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The initiative plans to develop proprietary uncooled long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensors, also known as microbolometers, and manufacture them at scale. The companies say the goal is to strengthen European and US control over thermal sensor supply.
The sensors are intended for drones, cars, factories and robots, with production planned through partner semiconductor foundries and dedicated facilities.
The first two planned fabrication facilities, First Foundation and Second Foundation, would be located in Europe and the United States, respectively. They would share a common technology base and proprietary sensor designs.
Odd Systems develops and manufactures thermal and daytime cameras for drones and other robotic systems. Its flagship product, the Kurbas thermal camera, is supplied to more than 70 Ukrainian drone manufacturers, according to the companies. The Fourth Law builds technologies that enable drones to continue their missions when communications are disrupted, with an initial focus on defense.
Drawing on Isaac Asimov
Both companies were founded by Yaroslav Azhnyuk, whose earlier ventures include Petcube, Fuel Finance and Ozero Design. Petcube has featured in Kyiv Post’s coverage of Ukrainian startups.
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The two companies were established in Kyiv in 2023 with a team of engineers, operators and veterans. They operate across Ukraine, the rest of Europe and the United States.
According to the companies, the founding team has 14 years of camera development experience, including work on more than one million consumer smart cameras.
Project Foundation is headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, which the companies described as a major European semiconductor technology hub.
“Building thermal cameras has shown us what manufacturers need from the sensor inside: performance, a reliable supply and a price that works at scale,” Project Foundation CEO Igor Nakonechnyi said in the press release.
The companies said the project had attracted interest from investors and partners, with financing arrangements to be announced once confirmed. They did not disclose an investment amount.
The project’s name follows the group’s practice of drawing on Isaac Asimov. The Fourth Law refers to his Laws of Robotics, while Project Foundation draws on the Foundation series and its theme of preserving knowledge through periods of upheaval.
Source: www.kyivpost.com
