The startup Glimpse has launched Explore, software for processing computed tomography (CT) images to accelerate quality inspections of industrial components. The product targets development laboratories and manufacturing operations in the aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical device sectors, as well as battery manufacturers.
The idea is to use image-processing software to increase utilization of the CT scanners companies already have, rather than settling for inspecting limited samples because of the process's slow speed. Eric Moch, the company's co-founder and CEO, said Glimpse developed an approach that can increase battery-cell inspection speed by 10 to 30 times, with the potential to scan tens of thousands of cells per day compared with a limited number currently.
What does Explore offer?
Glimpse has developed its own image-processing pipeline that compresses scans and cleans up images, using deep-learning algorithms. A significant portion of the initial processing is performed on edge computers located at the customer's site before the results are sent to the cloud. The company says this allows clear images to load in a web browser within seconds, rather than requiring minutes or hours in some cases.
The system is not limited to displaying images; it also allows customer-defined measurements of the component being inspected to be shown. In battery cells, for example, it can measure the distance between layers and then alert the user when it deviates from the normal range, while highlighting the location of the problem in the image. The deep-learning algorithms also use customer feedback to retrain the system over time.
Options for companies without CT scanners
Glimpse offers Scan On Demand for customers that do not own CT scanners; they can send components to the company's facility in the Boston area for inspection. The company plans to open a second facility in the San Francisco Bay Area. According to Moch, the scanning service could represent a larger market than selling software connected to customers' equipment, because it allows companies to pay for inspections instead of purchasing expensive equipment.
Glimpse says it has more than 100 customers, including Anker, Lucid, and the U.S. Navy, and that its annual revenue is in the range of “several million dollars in the mid-single-digit millions.” Its customer base includes companies that purchase batteries and others that sell them.
Why does this development matter?
The product's significance lies in its attempt to shift CT scanning from a specialized and slow inspection tool to a method that can be used on a broader statistical scale. This point is directly connected to the risks of hidden defects; the report cited a recall covering all Chevy Bolt vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2022 because of a problem in battery cells produced by an LG-affiliated plant, a problem that cost LG approximately $1.9 billion.
If the speed figures cited by the company are accurate, factories may be able to inspect more components before they reach the final product, rather than relying on limited samples. However, the source does not provide independent results demonstrating the defect-detection rate or explain the system's performance compared with current inspection methods, nor does it specify pricing details or the range of compatible equipment. Therefore, Explore's practical impact remains tied to customers' ability to verify its accuracy and suitability for their industrial operations.