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TECH WATCH For self-driving cars to "see" down the road, they need a camera, preferably one that snaps 100 frames per second or more. Even with sophisticated optical or laser cameras, there's lag (albeit one measured in milliseconds) between capturing an image and processing the data to make critical decisions—like hitting the brakes. Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have developed a camera that records the changes in light intensity nanosecond intervals—significantly faster than conventional video—and may help the reaction time of self-driving cars, especially during poor visibility. With a Is Your Camera Fast Enough? BMW Takes a Stake in 3D Metal Later this year, a Burlington, Massachusetts, company called "Desktop Metal" ( desktop- metal.com ) will introduce a new 3D printing technology specializing in shaping metal into production parts. When it does, one of its first customers could be BMW. BMW's i Ventures, alongside Google Ventures and Lowe's Ventures, jointly invested $45- million in the startup. Based in Silicon Valley, BMW i Ventures, is BMW Group's early stage venture capital group, which takes stakes in startups addressing mobility and manufacturing technologies. Desktop Metal has raised nearly $100-million in total. Desktop Metal says it has developed a full-service additive technology that makes metal parts—from prototype to production. It plans to introduce the technology this year. "Just as plastic 3D printing paved the way for rapid prototyping, metal 3D printing will make a profound impact on the way companies both prototype and mass produce parts across all major industries," says Ric Fulop, CEO and co-founder of Desktop Metal. There is reason to take the company claims seriously. The management team includes several 3D printing industry insiders, including Rick Chin, founder of Xpress 3D, which was acquired by 3D printer Stratasys and Scott Crump, the founder of Stratasys, who also serves on the board of Desktop Metal. The company has been tight lipped about its 3D printing system. Its website shrouds the machine in shadows. However, Fulop, who was the co-founder of lithium-ion battery maker A123 Systems, has been quoted saying the company's 3D printers will not use lasers to churn out parts. in-built circuit, the camera can instantly analyze captured scenes and stores the images in a format several times smaller than conventional cameras. Developed by Assistant Professor Chen Shoushun from NTU's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the new camera, named "Celex," is in its final prototype phase, with patents pending. The camera is meant to complement existing systems, not replace them. "Our new camera can be a great safety tool for autonomous vehicles, since it can see very far ahead like optical cameras but without the time lag needed to analyze and process the video feed," Chen says.. 14 GEAR GEAR