TLDR: Lumotive Inc., a startup specializing in liquid crystal beamforming chips, has successfully raised an additional $14 million in funding. This investment, provided by Amazon.com Inc.’s Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund and ITHCA Group, extends its Series B round to a total of $59 million. The capital will accelerate the development and market expansion of its innovative chips, which are designed to enhance lidar sensors for autonomous systems and find new applications in industrial and telecommunications sectors.
Lumotive Inc., a pioneering startup focused on advanced liquid crystal beamforming chips, announced on July 22, 2025, that it has secured an additional $14 million in funding. This latest cash infusion serves as an extension to its previously closed $45 million Series B round from February, bringing the total Series B funding to $59 million. The investment was led by prominent backers, including Amazon.com Inc.’s Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund and ITHCA Group.
Lumotive’s core technology revolves around its chips, such as the flagship LM10, which are engineered to precisely control the direction of laser beams. These chips are primarily designed to power lidar sensors, critical components that generate three-dimensional maps of their surroundings by emitting laser light and measuring the time it takes for photons to return. Traditionally, lidar sensors have relied on bulky mechanical components for beam steering, which often leads to higher production costs and reduced hardware reliability. Lumotive’s innovative approach eliminates the need for these moving parts, significantly lowering manufacturing expenses while simultaneously boosting the durability and performance of lidar systems.
The LM10 chip operates on Lumotive’s proprietary Light Control Metasurface technology. This involves microscopic optical components crafted from a liquid crystal material, which exhibits properties of both liquids and crystals. By applying an electrical current through the chip, the angle at which the LM10 reflects light can be precisely customized. This adaptability allows lidar sensors to dynamically adjust their field of view; for instance, a vehicle’s lidar sensor could configure the LM10 for a wide field of view in complex urban environments or narrow its focus to the area directly in front of the vehicle on a highway.
Also Read:
- Amazon Acquires Wearable AI Innovator Bee to Bolster Personal Computing Vision
- Rune Technologies Secures $24 Million Series A to Revolutionize Military Logistics with AI
Beyond its immediate applications in the lidar market, Lumotive envisions its technology being integrated into a diverse range of other devices. Potential uses include data center switches, where the chips could manage the flow of light within fiber-optic cables, as well as consumer handsets and even satellites. The newly acquired funds will be strategically utilized to expand Lumotive’s footprint within the industrial sector and to onboard a greater number of international customers, further solidifying its position in the global market for advanced optical solutions.
