Scape Technologies raises $8M to let machines visually understand their surroundings

Scape Technologies, a London-based computer vision startup, is de-cloaking today to announce that it has raised $8 million in seed funding and is launching the first iteration of its "Visual Positioning Service," which lets developers build apps that require location accuracy far beyond the capabilities of GPS alone. The technology will initially target augmented reality apps, but also can be used to power applications in mobility, logistics and robotics. More broadly, Scape wants to enable any machine equipped with a camera to understand its surroundings. Backing the round is LocalGlobe, Mosaic Ventures, Fly Ventures and company builder Entrepreneur First. Scape Technologies was a member of EF cohort 7, which pitched at EF's London demo day almost two years ago.