3D-sensing camera startup Matterport grabs $16M

Matterport, a startup that has designed a physical camera for creating three-dimensional models of rooms and a cloud service for storing and sharing models, has raised $16 million in new venture funding.

The startup is one of many building technology that could lead to more immersive experiences for a wide range of applications. Amazon has incorporated 3D elements and motion sensing into its new Fire Phone. And Apple bought 3D imaging startup PrimeSense.

Meanwhile, Google has been working on its Tango ATAP project, and Matterport is among the companies and research groups that have collaborated with Google on it.

While Matterport does take in revenue from sales of its existing iOS-compatible physical cameras aimed at real estate, retail, construction, and insurance uses — the gadgets cost $4,500 each — the startup could stand to grow into a hit on regular people’s smartphones. At its Google I/O developer conference last month, Google announced plans to make a consumer-grade Tango-ready device early next year. And Matterport wants in. From the startup’s website:

As 3D sensors start showing up in phones and tablets, Matterport’s software will be an app enabling millions of people to capture, share, and interact with the world around them in visually rich 3D. We’ve been adapting our technology to these emerging platforms over the last few months, and we have some exciting results to show.

The startup demonstrated the 3D reconstruction of a room with a Tango prototype in February.

Matterport started in 2011 and is based in Mountain View, Calif.

DCM Ventures led the new round in Matterport, and AME Cloud Ventures also participated, according to a statement the startup issued today. Previous investors include AMD Ventures, Felicis Ventures, Greylock Partners, Lux Capital, Navitas Capital, Qualcomm Ventures, Rothenberg Ventures, Sling Media founder Blake Krikorian, and Crate & Barrel founder Gordon Segal.

In addition to the funding, Matterport announced a new feature on its cloud service called 3D Showcase, which provides clear imaging of locations from any point of view, based on 3D models.