Matteo Rinaldi

Co-founder & CEO
Zepsor Technologies

Biography

Matteo Rinaldi is an inventor-CEO and deep-tech entrepreneur building the zero-power sensing layer for the AI era. He is co-founder & CEO of Zepsor Technologies, bringing event-driven infrared MEMS sensors to market to enable always-ready human–machine interfaces across smart homes, wearables/AR-VR, automotive, healthcare, and security. Matteo also serves as a Professor at Northeastern University, where he directs the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation (NanoSI) and the Kostas Nanotechnology Laboratory (NU Cleanroom)—platforms he’s leveraged to lead $40M+ in research programs, co-author 250+ publications, and secure 18 patents (10+ pending). His work has earned global recognition, including Optica Fellow, the IEEE IFCS Cady Award (2025), DARPA Young Faculty Award, NSF CAREER, IEEE Sensors Council Early Career Award, and multiple best-paper prizes.

Company Website

Company Profile

Zepsor Technologies

Company Profile

Zepsor Technologies is redefining the way humans interact with machines by delivering a zero power human–machine interface platform. Our patented micro  and nano scale infrared (IR) sensors operate in an “off but alert” state: they consume virtually no energy until they detect a target event. This breakthrough enables a new generation of always ready interfaces for wearables (e.g., smart glasses), AR/VR devices, smart home and industrial automation, automotive interiors, security systems, and touch free public infrastructure.

Problem
Existing motion and proximity sensors constantly drain battery power or require wired connections, limiting form factors and usability. In wearables, smart glasses, and many IoT devices, power budgets are so tight that continuous sensing is impractical—forcing users to rely on clunky buttons, voice activation, or periodic charging.

Solution
Zepsor’s zero power IR technology provides an instant on, battery free trigger for detecting human presence, gestures, or occupancy. The sensor converts a minute amount of captured thermal energy into mechanical motion, closing a microswitch that wakes up or activates a device. This hardware level efficiency unlocks multiple applications:

• Wearables & Smart Glasses: Enable intuitive gesture or proximity control without compromising battery life.
• AR/VR: Deliver natural, low latency interactions without active power drain.
• Smart Homes & Buildings: Offer occupancy based lighting, climate, and appliance control with unprecedented battery longevity.
• Automotive & Mobility: Support driver monitoring, cabin comfort, and safety features in electric vehicles.
• Healthcare & Public Spaces: Provide hygienic, maintenance free interfaces for faucets, dispensers, and medical equipment.
• Security & Defense: Supply ultra low power detection nodes for surveillance, perimeter monitoring, and asset protection.

Product & Service

Zepsor delivers zero-power infrared MEMS sensors that operate in an “off-but-alert” state, harvesting thermal energy to provide instant presence/gesture triggers with virtually no standby drain. Our event-driven sensing platform ships as miniature surface-mount modules and application-specific assemblies that OEMs can drop into wearables and smart glasses, AR/VR headsets, smart home devices, building/industrial controls, automotive cabins, healthcare/hygiene products, and security systems.

Products: ZIR-series presence/gesture modules (ultra-low idle power, fast response, lens-less compact form factor); evaluation kits and reference designs for rapid integration; roadmap variants including multi-spectral IR for flame detection and other safety/industrial uses.

Services: Custom sensor and packaging engineering (NRE), application tuning and performance validation, reliability/qualification support, and manufacturing transfer through commercial foundry partners.

By eliminating wasted standby power while remaining instantly responsive, Zepsor enables always-ready human–machine interfaces, longer battery life, smaller form factors, and more sustainable edge-AI deployments across consumer, commercial, and defense markets.

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