What Cambridge Research Systems does

Cambridge Research Systems Limited is a UK-based, founder-owned manufacturer of precision scientific instruments serving vision science and functional neuroimaging research communities. The company designs and builds its own hardware, including PCI Express visual stimulus generators (ViSaGe MKII, Bits#), calibrated wide-color-gamut LCD displays (Display++, Display++ UHD), MR-safe displays for fMRI (BOLDscreen 32 UHD), video eye tracking systems (LiveTrack Lightning at 500Hz, LiveTrack AV for fMRI, LiveTrack FM fixation monitor), and supporting instruments (ColorCAL MKII/MKIII colorimeters, SpectroCAL MKII spectroradiometer). Core technical differentiation rests on guaranteed frame-synchronous stimulus presentation at 100Hz+, 14-bit luminance and colour resolution (vs 8–10-bit consumer displays), NIST-traceable calibration, and integration with EEG, fMRI, and eye-tracking infrastructure via open interfaces to Psychtoolbox-3, PsychoPy, E-Prime, Presentation, SuperLab, BrainVoyager QX, and Cedrus response devices. Software is sold as one-time perpetual licenses (CRS Toolbox for MATLAB, CRS Colour Toolbox for MATLAB, VSGv8 API), and the firm operates an OEM Eye Tracker Developer Program priced at £10,000. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales (range £175–£7,150+ per unit) and software licences, distributed via the MyCRS direct portal and five authorised regional distributors covering France (Gaze Intelligence), China (Shanghai Qichi Instruments), Japan (Namoto Trading), Taiwan (Major Instruments), and USA/Canada (Cortech Solutions). Customers are primarily university research departments (vision science, ophthalmology, cognitive neuroscience, experimental psychology, human factors), with secondary reach into neuroimaging facilities and colour-universal design testing through the Variantor dichromatic spectacles. CRS is privately held with no disclosed institutional capital, founded by Professor John Robson FRS (Fellow of the Royal Society, 2003) and his son Tom Robson, currently led by Managing Director Steven Elliott, Financial and Marketing Director Carol Luscombe, and Staff Scientist Dr Caterina Ripamonti (UCL Institute of Ophthalmology / Moorfields Eye Hospital).

Name

Cambridge Research Systems

Legal name

Cambridge Research Systems Limited

Website

https://crsltd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cambridge Research Systems Limited is a UK-based, founder-owned manufacturer of precision visual stimulus generators, calibrated displays, eye trackers, and light-measurement instruments for university vision-science and fMRI neuroimaging laboratories worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Science Research Instruments

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Creative Monitors (Color-Accurate/Reference) (HDACADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Visual Field & Functional Vision Testing (Perimetry, ERG/VEP, Contrast Sensitivity) (HLAHAJAC), Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC), Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Visual stimulus generators
• Calibrated research displays
• Scientific eye tracking
• Display calibration equipment
• FMRI research instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Visual Stimulus Generators: Sale of ViSaGe MKII systems (starting from GBP7150) including hardware (PCI Express framestore card, external control unit) and software (CRS Toolbox for MATLAB, VSG Software Library v8.3). One-time hardware purchase with entitlement to unlimited technical support.
2. Bits# Stimulus Processors: Sale of Bits# systems that convert ordinary computers into calibrated visual stimulators. Includes hardware and software for frame-synchronous stimulus presentation with digital/analogue I/O capabilities.
3. Display++ Calibrated Monitors: Sale of Display++ LCD monitors with factory colorimetric and spectroradiometric calibration. Includes touchscreen option (add GBP1500) and optional analogue I/O module. Standalone purchase model.
4. CRS Software Licenses: Sale of CRS Colour Toolbox for MATLAB (Guide Price: £500, SKU: M2201). Includes spectroradiometric measurement control, colour space calculation routines, and full source code documentation.
5. Eye Tracking Systems: Sale of LiveTrack eye tracking products including LiveTrack Lightning, LiveTrack FM, and LiveTrack AV for fMRI. Also includes OEM Eye Tracker Developer Program (joining cost: £10,000).
6. Light Measurement Instruments: Sale of ColorCAL colorimeters (MKII and MKIII) and SpectroCAL MKII spectroradiometers (Guide Price: £8250) with NIST-traceable calibration and one-year recalibration intervals.
7. Accessories and Peripherals: Sale of response boxes (CB6, CT6, RB-540 from £175-£475), laboratory furniture (Hercules Table £1500, EyeLock Chinrest), and Variantor dichromatic spectacles (£300).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cambridge Research Systems designs, manufactures, and sells precision instruments for vision science and functional imaging research. The product portfolio includes programmable visual stimulus generators (ViSaGe MKII, Bits#), calibrated scientific LCD monitors (Display++, Display++ UHD, BOLDscreen), video-based eye tracking systems (LiveTrack), NIST-traceable light measurement devices (ColorCAL, SpectroCAL), MR-safe response devices, response pads, and MATLAB software toolboxes, sold to university research departments and OEM developers worldwide.

Product overview

Cambridge Research Systems is a UK-based manufacturer of precision equipment for vision science and functional imaging research. The product portfolio is organized into two main categories: Tools for Vision Science and Tools for Functional Imaging (fMRI). The core offerings include visual stimulus generators (ViSaGe MKII, Bits#), calibrated displays (Display++, Display++ UHD), and eye tracking systems (LiveTrack Lightning, LiveTrack FM, LiveTrack AV for fMRI). Supporting modules include calibration devices (ColorCAL MKII, SpectroCAL MKII), response devices (CB6, CT6, RB-540, Lumina, fORP), audio systems (AudioFile, BOLDfonic), laboratory furniture (EyeLock Chinrest, Hercules Table), and specialist products (Variantor Dichromatic Spectacles). Software tools include CRS Toolbox for MATLAB and CRS Colour Toolbox for MATLAB. CRS also resells third-party products including BrainVoyager QX and EventIDE. The company emphasizes precision timing control, colour calibration accuracy, and hardware synchronization capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ViSaGe MKII Programmable visual stimulus generator with PCI Express framestore providing 14-bit luminance and colour control with guaranteed frame-synchronous stimulus presentation at 100Hz+ frame rates. Designed for vision science and neuroscience laboratories.
• Display++ LCD Monitor 32-inch 1920x1080 calibrated LCD display for vision science research with 120Hz panel drive, 10-bit native or 16-bit temporal dithering colour resolution, integrated colour sensor, and hardware gamma correction.
• Display++ UHD Calibrated wide colour gamut LCD display for vision research with ultra-high definition resolution.
• Bits# Stimulus Processor Converts an ordinary computer into a wide dynamic range, calibrated visual stimulator and frame-synchronous data acquisition system with 14-bit analogue RGB video outputs.
• BOLDscreen 32 UHD Premium MR Safe LCD display rated for use in 3T and 7T fMRI environments.
• LiveTrack Lightning Affordable 500Hz video-based eye tracking system for direction of gaze measurements in vision science applications.
• LiveTrack AV for fMRI MR-safe video-based eye tracking system designed for use inside fMRI scanners.
• LiveTrack FM Video-based fixation monitor for tracking gaze in vision science experiments.
• ColorCAL MKII Colorimeter USB-powered colorimeter with NIST-traceable calibration for measuring CIE chromaticity coordinates and photopic luminance of CRT, LCD, and OLED monitors.
• ColorCAL Colorimeter (MKIII) Calibrated and affordable colorimeter designed for characterising and calibrating LCD monitors.
• SpectroCAL MKII Spectroradiometer High-performance spectroradiometer with NIST-traceable calibration providing accurate colorimetric measurements across the 350nm-1000nm visible spectrum.
• CRS Colour Toolbox for MATLAB MATLAB toolbox providing colorimetric and physiologically-based colour space visualisation (CIE 1931, CIELUV, CIELAB, SML, MacLeod-Boynton, DKL) along with display calibration routines and cone-isolating stimulus implementation.
• CRS Toolbox for MATLAB MATLAB toolbox with functions for visual stimulus control on ViSaGe and integration with peripheral devices.
• Variantor Dichromatic Spectacles Colour vision deficiency simulation glasses that simulate protanope and deuteranope colour discrimination difficulties for colour universal design testing.
• RB-540 Series Ergonomic response pads compatible with major stimulus presentation packages (E-Prime, Presentation, SuperLab). Features 5 keys with customisable key tops and 1 millisecond reaction time resolution.
• CT6 Push Button Response Box Compact handheld response device with 4 push buttons arranged like compass points. Interfaces wirelessly via infra-red link to ViSaGe or Bits#.
• CB6 Push Button Response Box Handheld response device with 6 push buttons arranged in two rows. Interfaces via wireless infra-red link to ViSaGe or Bits#.
• Lumina MR-safe response device for subject feedback in fMRI environments.
• fORP MR-safe response device package for fMRI subject feedback with 5-button and 8-button configurations.
• BOLDfonic Audio system for fMRI environments including headphones, earphones, amplifier, microphone, and sound processor.
• AudioFile Stimulus Processor USB soundcard combining local solid-state storage of audio samples with intelligent digital I/O interface for synchronised auditory stimulus presentation.
• Visual Cortex Phased-Array MRI Coil Specialised phased-array MRI coil for visual cortex imaging with improved signal-to-noise ratio compared to standard 32-channel whole-head coils.
• Hercules Table Height-adjustable motorised ophthalmic table with silent electrical motor lifting up to 200kg. Designed for laboratory instrument support.
• EyeLock Chinrest Chin and forehead rest designed to comfortably reduce participants' head movements during psychophysical experiments.
• MediGlasses MRI patient comfort device available in Full Set, Standard Set, and Mini Set configurations.
• NoMoCo MRI patient comfort product including vinyl cover.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14-bit colour/luminance resolution (64x more dynamic range than standard 8-bit systems)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered regional and core.

• Gaze IntelligenceregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for France covering Paris and surrounding regions. Provides local sales, pricing in EUR, and customer support. Contact: José Barreiros, [email protected], www.gazeintelligence.com
• Shanghai Qichi Instruments Co. Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for China providing local sales, pricing in CNY, and customer support. Located in Shanghai with Rm. 706, Building No. 1, No. 388, Xinfu Rd., Shanghai P.R.C 201100.
• Namoto Trading Co. Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Japan providing local sales, pricing in JPY, and customer support. Located in Ichikawa-City, Chiba 272-0804.
• Major Instruments Co. Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Taiwan providing local sales, pricing in TWD, and customer support. Located in Tanshui, Taipei.
• Cortech Solutions, Inc.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for USA and Canada providing local sales, pricing in USD/CAD, and customer support. Located in Wilmington, NC 28401.
• Dr Caterina Ripamonti (UCL Institute of Ophthalmology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development of CRS Colour Toolbox for MATLAB. Dr Ripamonti is Honorary Senior Research Fellow at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Honorary Research Fellow at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Co-author of 'Computational Colour Science using MATLAB'.
• Prof. Shigeki Nakauchi (Toyohashi University of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of Variantor dichromatic spectacles filter technology. Prof. Nakauchi contributed to the optimization algorithm for designing the spectral filter to simulate dichromat colour discrimination.
• Prof. Keizo Shinomori (Kochi University of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of Variantor dichromatic spectacles filter technology. Prof. Shinomori contributed expertise in colour vision and psychophysics to the project.
• Itoh Optical Industrial Co., Ltd.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerManufacturing partner for Variantor dichromatic spectacles filter production using vacuum deposition technology. Supported by Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan.
• Psychtoolbox-3 (MATLAB) and PsychoPy (Python)coreTechnology or IntegrationCommunity programming tools providing native support for CRS Bits# and Display++ technology. Non-proprietary open interfaces allow third-party developers to integrate CRS technology into their software.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• VPixx Technologies: VPixx is the closest direct peer, manufacturing PROPixx, VIEWPixx, and Datapixx visual stimulus generators and response devices for vision science and neuroscience. It competes head-to-head with CRS ViSaGe/Bits# and Display++, often cited in the same peer-reviewed papers.
• SR Research (EyeLink): SR Research manufactures the EyeLink series, the dominant academic video-based eye tracker used in vision and cognitive neuroscience. It competes directly with CRS LiveTrack line in the same research labs and on similar grants.
• Admesy: Admesy manufactures spectroradiometers, colorimeters, and light-measurement instruments (e.g., Brontes, Hyperion) used in display calibration and research-grade light measurement, competing directly with CRS SpectroCAL and ColorCAL lines.

Broad incumbents

• Tobii: Tobii is a much larger eye-tracking vendor that, while focused on assistive and consumer applications, also sells research-grade eye trackers into vision science and neuroscience labs that overlap with CRS LiveTrack customers.
• Konica Minolta Sensing: Konica Minolta is the dominant industrial vendor of colorimeters and spectroradiometers (CR-250, CS-2000). CRS ColorCAL explicitly uses Konica Minolta-compatible drivers, and Konica Minolta is the broader commercial incumbent in display calibration that CRS research-grade instruments target.
• EIZO ColorEdge: EIZO's ColorEdge line is the leading professional color-accurate reference monitor used in creative imaging, with adjacent use in vision science and medical imaging. It competes with CRS Display++ when labs weigh proprietary calibrated research monitors against professional-grade standard monitors.
• Brain Products (BrainVision): Brain Products makes EEG/ERP systems commonly bundled with vision science stimulus PCs. Its actiCHamp and actiCAP ecosystems overlap the same research-grant funding pool that CRS vision and fMRI tools tap.

Others

• Neurobehavioral Systems (Presentation): Neurobehavioral Systems makes the Presentation stimulus-presentation software used alongside CRS hardware (compatibility confirmed for RB-540 response pads). It is adjacent to CRS rather than directly competitive — a software stack that runs on top of competitor stimulus devices as well.

Regional players

• Cambridge NeuroTech: Cambridge NeuroTech is a UK-headquartered neuroscience equipment manufacturer (probes, electrodes, imaging) selling to overlapping university vision/neuroscience departments, competing for the same lab budgets as CRS fMRI and response-device lines.

Emerging players

• Photron (Image Engineering / ISS): Photron and ISS vendors supply high-speed imaging and video systems used in some vision research and psychophysics labs adjacent to CRS stimulus presentation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/crsltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cambridge Research Systems