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Consumer Electronics Daily News 4 5 Saturday, January 7, 2017 AUGMENTED REALITY & SMARTGLASSES LEADER CLOSES SERIES A FUNDING Osterhout Design Group (ODG), leading developer and manufacturer of mobile AR/VR smartglasses, announced the closing of a $58 million Series A funding round. Shenzhen O-film Tech Co., Ltd., Vanfund Urban Investment & Development Co. Ltd. and several indi- vidual investors participated in the round alongside principal outside investor and strategic partner 21st Century Fox, previ- ously announced in January 2016. ODG will use the funds to accelerate its exist- ing production capabilities, complete its new products, which are being intro- duced at CES, expand its patent portfolio and significantly grow its team world- wide. "For eight years, we've taken a very systematic approach to designing and refining our smartglasses for specific applications from the U.S. government, industry and enterprise customers in a wide variety of markets, and that will not change," said Ralph Osterhout, Chief Executive Officer of ODG. "We careful- ly picked investment partners who not only share ODG's product vision and growth strategy, but also have the reputa- tion and reach to expand ODG's global presence and market recognition." Continued Osterhout, "People are realizing the potential for mass adoption of high-end mobile devices with the power to transform and simplify their lives. This funding round, our first ever, ensures we are well positioned to intro- duce our latest designs at CES, which will likely form the largest category of smartglasses worldwide." ODG has been pioneering the next generation mobile computing platform and bringing forth a new frontier in visual experiences with its smartglass- es. Already award winning, the compa- ny continues to push the boundaries with AR/VR 'mixed reality' and mobile technologies. Shipping to specialized customers since 2011, ODG has seen rapidly growing demand from a broad base of industries for its fully self-con- tained, computerized glasses with their photo-realistic, "see-through," 3D dis- plays. All of its models are fully inte- grated, small, light and sleek. Their onboard GPS/IMU-based navigation gives users the ability to experience telepresence, tele-maintenance and tele- repair everywhere. ODG will continue to refine and advance its technology and will transform the way we create, view and consume content in a form with the familiar size and comfort of sunglasses. About Osterhout Design Group San Francisco based Osterhout Design Group (ODG) was founded in 1999 as a technology incubator and today is focused on revolutionizing wearable technologies and headworn computing for government, enterprise and ultimate- ly, consumer markets. The company is privately held and as of October 2016 has over 80 employees. For more information, visit www.oster houtgroup.com or follow the company on Twitter at @osterhoutgroup. STEADICAM VOLT THREE-AXIS MOTORIZED SMARTPHONE CAMERA STABILIZER Steadicam, a division of The Tiffen Company, is releasing the Steadicam Volt, a three-axis motorized smartphone camera stabilizer. As the first in its class to offer the user complete control of image framing and composition, the Volt serves as a versatile tool for content cre- ation, easily operated by a wide range of users. With the Steadicam Volt, con- sumers will have the opportunity to cap- ture outstanding Steadicam quality video right from their smartphone. Product benefits include: lightweight and folding design enable easy storage and transportation; accompanying iOS app allows for precise balance and tun- ing; haptic control utilizes Simulated Inertia™ Dual operating modes for beginners and experienced users; uses long life rechargeable Lithium Ion batter- ies; accommodates phone sizes with or without case from 100-200g in weight and 58 to 80mm wide; and Bluetooth enabled. Engineered to provide the utmost precision and control, the Steadicam Volt will enable smartphone users to capture high quality video content with ease. Additionally, the simulated feeling of inertia on the pan axis will improve the overall handing of the gimbal, giving users the stability they need to film with remarkable precision. For more information, visit www.tiffen.com.