With LightlyEdge, AI startup, Lightly, is introducing a new data collection solution to enable European automotive manufacturers to close the innovation gap with smarter, faster data collection deployed directly in vehicles. This product complements the existing AI solutions which are currently used by companies such as Bosch, John Deere, and Syngenta.
Drawing on its AI experience, Lightly has launched LightlyEdge to help carmakers instantly identify and retain the most valuable data before it enters the storage and processing pipeline. LightlyEdge deploys intelligent models directly onto vehicles' cameras and sensors to enable data collect collection and real-time video footage analysis, automatically identifying rare and critical scenarios – such as a child at a crossroad or an accident in snowy conditions – while ignoring redundant data.
The new solution comes at a time when European automakers face rising tariffs and intensifying competition from American and Asian rivals in the autonomous driving race. This has resulted in over 12,000 jobs cuts at companies like Bosch, and Mercedes offering up to €500,000 for voluntary exits. Meanwhile, the global race to develop safer autonomous vehicles is hindered by overwhelming data and soaring costs. And while vast data collection is essential, the real challenge lies in identifying relevance, which poses a critical bottleneck in AI development. As AI models advance, so does redundancy in their data inputs.
In addition to saving storage and bandwidth costs, LightlyEdge gives developers real-time feedback and smart-capture capabilities directly on the road, enabling them to quickly deploy, monitor and enhance their AI models. “We have a growing pipeline of companies interested in integrating LightlyEdge into their devices - from R&D vehicles to customer cars”, says Afonso Durão Duarte, Business development representative at Lightly.
Uptick growth trajectory
Founded by former ETH and Harvard students, Lightly offers a suite of machine learning tools to build better machine learning models faster through better data. The company is already enjoying strong growth momentum, with several customers using the solution, including Fortune 500 companies and startups in autonomous driving, robotics, and video analytics. Their customer base includes companies such as Bosch, John Deere and Syngenta. Most recently, the company entered a collaboration with Walmart, bringing it into the retail industry.
Behind Lightly is a team of 30 people distributed across Zurich, Prague, and the U.S.
(RAN)
The new Swiss Venture Capital Report was published on 26 January. It analyses 304 financing rounds closed in 2020 and includes further article such as an interview with Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, and a list of Swiss "soonicorns". 
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