Luminous Group, a Newcastle, UK-based digital survey specialist, secured £250k in funding.
Mercia Fund Managers made the investment.
The company intends to use the funds to further develop its VR software.
Founded in 1988 by former mining surveyor Peter Bennett, now Chairman, Luminous has pioneered the use of 3D in sectors including architecture and construction. It offers digital surveys which use laser scanning to capture every surface of a building or structure, and can record measurements, identify damage and produce detailed 3D models.
Its new software RIVO combines 3D with the latest mixed reality holographic computer hardware. RIVO has applications in asset management in sectors such as offshore energy or marine shipping where companies need to keep track of structures such as oil rigs, refineries, wind turbines or military installations which are often in remote or inaccessible locations. It could also enhance fire safety surveys, by drawing up critical information in real time, for example on emergency evacuation points or fire routes.
RIVO package uses Microsoft’s ‘Inside Out’ tracking. It is accessed using a Microsoft HoloLens headset for the user.
The company, which also has an office in London, employs 10 staff headed by Peter’s sons Ben Bennett, Managing Director, and Henry Bennett, Operations Director.
FinSMEs
15/02/2018