The Silicon Review ^Asia

Intel Capital announced recently that it has invested $38 million in 12 technology startups. The world’s biggest chip maker made the announcement at the beginning of its annual Intel Capital Global Summit.

The 17th annual Intel Capital Global Summit in San Diego, California, will draw nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors and business luminaries for an event that hopes to shape the future of technology.

Intel’s newest investments include startups in big data analytics, autonomous machines, augmented reality, and virtual reality.

The companies focus on solutions for seniors and disabled people using the Internet of Things, or making everyday objects smart and connected. The startups also do advanced audio for 360-degree virtual reality systems and human-like vision systems for connected cars. The startups are Chronocam (Paris, France), Embodied (Pasadena, California), Perrone Robotics (Charlottesville, Virginia), Eazytec (Jiangsu, China), Grand Chip Microelectronics (aka Kangxi Communication Technologies; Shanghai, China Paxata (Redwood City, California), StealthMine (Sunnyvale, California), CubeWorks (Ann Harbor, Michigan), Kinduct (Halifax, Canada), K4Connect (Raleigh, North Carolina), Dysonics (San Francisco) and InContext Solutions (Chicago)

“Innovation is exploding as the world transforms into an increasingly smart and connected place, where billions of devices will be made even smarter by intelligence in the cloud,” said Wendell Brooks, Intel senior vice president and president of Intel Capital, in a statement. “We’re excited to team with these visionary entrepreneurs developing breakthrough technologies to transform lives and industries.”

In addition, Brooks announced the formation of a new Intel Sports unit focused on relationships with major sports leagues to leverage technologies such as Intel’s FreeD technology, which provides fans immersive viewing experiences. Brooks will oversee the business unit and expects it will work closely with Intel Capital’s Sports and Health effort.

Since 1991, Intel Capital has invested $11.7 billion in 1,458 companies worldwide, and 605 portfolio companies have gone public or been acquired.