FORMER APPLE ENGINEERS LAUNCH LYTE TO BUILD A “VISUAL BRAIN” FOR ROBOTS

Apple veterans behind some of the core technology that powers Face ID are stepping into the robotics spotlight with a new startup aimed at redefining how machines see and understand the world.

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The company, called Lyte, emerged from stealth this week with roughly $107 million in funding and an ambition to provide what its founders describe as a “visual brain” for robots. Based in Mountain View, California, Lyte was founded in 2021 by Alexander Shpunt, Arman Hajati, and Yuval Gerson, all of whom previously worked at Apple on depth-sensing and perception systems central to Face ID.

The financing round drew backing from major institutional investors including Fidelity Management & Research, Atreides Management, and Exor Ventures, alongside Key1 Capital, VentureTech Alliance, and private investors led by Israeli entrepreneur Avigdor Willenz.

FROM FACE ID TO ROBOTICS PERCEPTION

Shpunt is a familiar name in the world of 3D sensing. Before joining Apple, he co-founded PrimeSense, a pioneer in depth-sensing technology that Apple acquired in 2013 for $350 million. PrimeSense’s technology later became foundational to Face ID, setting the stage for Apple's secure facial authentication system. Yuval Gerson also worked at PrimeSense prior to the acquisition, while Arman Hajati joined Apple's perception and sensing efforts later, contributing to refinements in depth mapping and motion analysis.