STRATIO, a deep-tech company with operations in Silicon Valley and Seoul, has released a software and hardware package designed to push short-wave infrared technology into mainstream artificial intelligence applications. The new LS SWIR SDK is built around what the company describes as the world’s first germanium-based SWIR image sensor and is intended to make “Infrared-AI” commercially viable for developers and manufacturers across multiple industries. The launch reflects a broader effort by STRATIO to position spectral imaging beyond the visible spectrum as a foundation for the next generation of machine perception.
Unlike conventional camera sensors that capture only visible light, STRATIO’s technology collects spectral data in wavelengths that humans cannot see. That information feeds machine-learning models trained on signals that are unique to the company’s sensors, forming the basis of its Infrared-AI platform. Chief Executive Officer JaeHyung James Lee said the approach represents a shift toward AI systems built on proprietary infrared data, arguing that pairing germanium SWIR sensors with advanced algorithms can turn previously invisible properties of materials into actionable insights.
STRATIO says its Infrared-AI Solution integrates the sensor, data pipeline and AI models in a vertically aligned stack already deployed in several use cases. In recycling facilities, the system can distinguish black, contaminated or composite plastics that are difficult for standard optical sorters to identify, with the company claiming more than 95% accuracy in some scenarios. Higher accuracy can raise the purity of recycled material and cut sorting times, which may improve the economics of waste processing and support sustainability targets.
Appliance makers are another target market. By embedding infrared sensing and AI directly into devices, STRATIO says manufacturers could build products that detect materials or freshness automatically and then tune energy use or operation cycles accordingly. The company also highlights agriculture and food technology as key areas, where its infrared analytics can be applied to monitor soil carbon, gauge crop maturity and assess food quality in real time. STRATIO describes this broader philosophy as “From Waste to Worth,” using non-visible data to uncover value in overlooked or discarded materials.
The LS SWIR SDK packages that capability into what STRATIO calls an all-in-one Infrared-AI device, combining the germanium-based SWIR sensor with onboard analysis software. The unit is designed to work out of the box so users can capture and interpret spectral signatures without a laboratory setup or deep optics expertise. Its compact design targets researchers, startups and product teams exploring applications in sustainability, smart appliances, agriculture and consumer electronics that require a small footprint and rapid prototyping.
From its bases in Silicon Valley and Pangyo Techno Valley near Seoul, STRATIO is building a global ecosystem around its infrared platform. The company says it is expanding into areas such as consumer electronics, agriculture and public safety, where it sees demand for richer sensing capabilities that can make everyday environments smarter and safer. Looking ahead, STRATIO plans to introduce an SWIR HD image sensor in 2026 aimed at automotive and mobile devices, opening the door for vehicles, smartphones and robots that can “see the unseen” using invisible data as a core input for machine vision.
