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Hillcrest Labs develops software, hardware, and intellectual property for motion-enabled products, primarily focusing on reinventing the TV user experience, and is based in Rockville, Maryland. The company pioneered the first motion-based TV remote control utilizing inertial sensors, a significant innovation that also positioned it as a key developer of Smart TV technology. Becoming a leading global supplier in the consumer electronics industry for motion-enabled solutions, Hillcrest Labs received multiple CES Innovations Awards in 2006, 2010, 2011, and 2012 for its contributions. The firm secured venture funding from notable investors including NEA, Columbia Capital, and Grotech Capital to scale its proprietary technology. Its intellectual property and solutions were widely adopted before the company was acquired by InterDigital in 2016. Hillcrest Labs was founded in 2001 by Dan Simpkins.
Hillcrest Labs has raised $35.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Hillcrest Labs has raised $35.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Hillcrest Labs has raised $35.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Hillcrest Labs's investors include New Enterprise Associates.
Hillcrest Labs has raised $35.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $25.0M Series D in January 2008.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2008 | $25M Series D | — | NEW Enterprise Associates | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2004 | $10M Series B | — | NEW Enterprise Associates | Announced |
Hillcrest Labs was a pioneering technology company specializing in sensor processing and motion control solutions for consumer electronics and IoT devices[1][2][3][4]. It developed software and hardware, including its flagship Freespace technology and MotionEngine, that fused data from MEMS sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes to enable gesture recognition, motion sensing, and contextual awareness in devices such as Smart TVs, remotes, VR/AR systems, robotics, and smart home products[1][2][3][4]. Serving semiconductor makers (e.g., LG, Roku, TCL, Logitech, Kodak), device manufacturers, and gaming systems, Hillcrest addressed the challenge of intuitive human-device interaction by translating physical movements into precise, tremor-compensated controls, shipping over 100 million devices before its 2019 acquisition by CEVA for $11.2 million[1][2][3][4].
Founded in 2001 in Rockville, Maryland, as Hillcrest Communications by Dan Simpkins—a serial entrepreneur who previously started SALIX Technologies—the company stemmed from Simpkins' vision to simplify TV navigation amid growing content complexity[2][4]. Renamed Hillcrest Laboratories in 2005, it launched Freespace motion technology, debuting products like the Loop pointer remote and HoME zoomable TV interface in 2006[2][4]. Early traction included licensing deals with Logitech (2007 MX Air mouse), Kodak (2008), and Universal Electronics/Texas Instruments, plus consumer acclaim (e.g., PC World’s top 100 products, CES awards in 2006/2010-2012)[2][4]. Backed by investors like NEA, Columbia Capital, and Grotech Ventures, it evolved from TV-focused innovations to broader motion processing for mobiles, gaming, and VR/AR[1][2][4].
Hillcrest rode the rise of intuitive sensing in the 2000s-2010s, enabling the shift from button-based to gesture-driven interfaces amid exploding consumer electronics and early IoT/VR adoption[1][2][4]. Its timing aligned with MEMS sensor commoditization and demand for "smart" devices, powering Smart TV proliferation (e.g., first pointer-based systems) and laying groundwork for AR/VR/robotics markets where precise environmental awareness is critical[1][3][5]. By licensing to chipmakers like CEVA post-acquisition, it amplified influence in edge AI and sensor IP ecosystems, reducing reliance on legacy controls and fueling growth in immersive tech[1][3].
Now integrated into CEVA since 2019, Hillcrest's tech endures in VR/AR, robotics, drones, and next-gen remotes, bolstered by CEVA's sound/vision synergies for holistic edge sensing[1][3][6]. Upcoming trends like AI-enhanced sensor fusion, 6G IoT, and metaverse expansion will propel its legacy, potentially unlocking new licensing in autonomous systems. As immersive experiences dominate, CEVA-Hillcrest could evolve from enabler to market leader, shaping how devices "understand" motion in everyday life—echoing its TV revolution origins.
