Helix Robotics launches Orion: a handheld 3D scanner for rapid product prototyping

Tech · 4 min read

Orion is a compact, battery-powered 3D scanner that combines time-of-flight lidar with a high-resolution color camera for textured mesh capture. Helix targets product designers and small manufacturers who need quick, accurate scans for reverse engineering or rapid prototyping.

The product launch is paired with a $10 million bridge round led by MakerFund that will fund initial production runs and expand support for popular CAD workflows. Helix says Orion can produce cleanly retopologized meshes in under five minutes for small- to medium-sized objects.

A key differentiator is on-device preprocessing: Orion reduces noise and aligns scans in real time, exporting to common formats like OBJ, PLY, and STEP-ready meshes. Plug-ins for SolidWorks and Blender are available for smoother import and editing.

Helix plans a developer program to encourage plugin development for scanning specialized surfaces like fabric or transparent materials, where photogrammetry often struggles. Early customers in furniture design and toy manufacturing have praised the device’s speed and quality.