Hillcrest Labs

About Hillcrest Labs

Hillcrest Labs, founded in 2001 by Daniel Simpkins and initially named Hillcrest Communications, established itself as a significant entity in sensor processing technology. Simpkins, who had previously founded SALIX Technologies, started the company to simplify television navigation, which he felt had become overly complex. The firm’s core business revolved around licensing its proprietary software and selling components for sensor processing, primarily to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and semiconductor companies. This business model allowed its technology to be integrated into a wide array of consumer electronics.

The company's flagship product was the Freespace motion-control technology, which translates physical gestures into on-screen motion, effectively turning a remote control into a mouse for the television. This technology was embedded in its MotionEngine software, a line of products that provided low-power, high-accuracy sensor processing for various applications. Prominent clients like LG, Sony, Logitech, and Roku integrated Freespace into their products, such as in LG's Magic Motion remote and the Roku 2's game remote. Beyond television remotes, Hillcrest's technology found application in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) headsets, robotics, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The company developed a portfolio of solutions including 6-axis and 9-axis sensors and software featuring high-accuracy fusion, dynamic sensor calibration, gesture recognition, and activity tracking.

Over its history, Hillcrest Labs achieved several milestones. In 2006, it launched its first products, the Loop pointer and the HoME television navigation system. The company successfully raised $60.7 million over six funding rounds from investors including New Enterprise Associates, Columbia Capital, and AllianceBernstein. After being acquired by InterDigital in 2016, Hillcrest Labs was subsequently acquired by CEVA in July 2019. This final acquisition was a strategic move for CEVA to enhance its smart sensing portfolio, combining Hillcrest's sensor fusion expertise with its own signal processing and AI platforms for connected devices.