PreAct Technologies

About PreAct Technologies

PreAct Technologies, established in 2018 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, specializes in software-definable flash LiDAR sensor systems. The company is the brainchild of CEO Paul Drysch, a veteran of the automotive and telematics industries with prior leadership roles at prominent tech firms, and CTO Kurt Ramm, who brings extensive experience in imaging systems and parallel processing. Their combined expertise underpins the company's core mission, which was initially focused on enhancing automotive safety by developing near-field sensors to predict and mitigate collisions.

The foundation of PreAct's technology stems from over 15 years of DARPA-funded research in high-speed optics and computing, a legacy inherited through a significant investment from Artis Corporation, a key provider of active protection systems for the military. This background has enabled PreAct to develop highly affordable and compact sensor systems. The company's business model revolves around selling complete systems that include a flash LiDAR sensor, edge processing capabilities, and communication hardware. Clients are provided with a comprehensive Software Development Kit (SDK) that allows for real-time data visualization, storage, and custom code integration. A distinctive feature of the SDK is its integrated AI development platform, optimized for 3D data, which significantly accelerates the creation of AI algorithms with minimal training data.

PreAct Technologies generates revenue through the sale of these hardware and software packages. While its origins are in the automotive sector, aiming to reduce traffic fatalities, the company has expanded its addressable markets significantly. Its versatile sensor technology now caters to a diverse client base across trucking, robotics, healthcare, agriculture, smart city initiatives, and industrial applications. This diversification strategy leverages the technology's adaptability for various use cases beyond its initial automotive safety scope.