Hillcrest Labs, acquired by CEVA

Hillcrest Labs was founded in 2003 in Rockville, Maryland, by Dan Simpkins. The company specialized in sensor processing software and motion control technology. In July 2019, Hillcrest Labs was acquired by CEVA, a provider of digital signal processing (DSP) and wireless connectivity IP. Prior to the acquisition, Hillcrest operated as a privately held company.

Hillcrest developed sensor fusion software, branded as MotionEngine, which processes raw data from MEMS sensors—such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers—into precise 3D orientation and motion tracking. The software mitigates sensor drift and handles calibration. It is licensed to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for integration into AR/VR headsets, robotics, consumer electronics, and smart TV controllers.

The primary offering is the MotionEngine software stack, alongside specialized sensor hub microcontrollers. Hillcrest collaborated with hardware vendors like Bosch and TDK InvenSense to produce integrated IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) modules, such as the widely used BNO085. Following the 2019 acquisition, the Hillcrest product portfolio was fully integrated into CEVA's smart sensing intellectual property line.

While Hillcrest Labs was established as a US company, its acquirer, CEVA, maintains significant R&D operations in Herzliya and Haifa, Israel. CEVA's Israeli engineering teams focus on DSP and AI architectures, integrating Hillcrest's sensor fusion algorithms into CEVA's broader hardware and software IP offerings.