Intel Corp.’s computer vision subsidiary RealSense said today it’s now operating as a standalone company after spinning out from its parent and closing on a $50 million round of funding.
The round was led by an unnamed semiconductor private equity firm with participation from strategic investors that included Intel Capital and MediaTek Innovation Fund. It will enable RealSense to expand into adjacent markets and advance innovation in artificial intelligence, robotics and biometrics, the company said.
RealSense is the creator of computer vision systems that specialize in depth and tracking, enabling robots, drones and other devices with cameras to perceive and understand the 3D environments they operate in.
Its main product is its popular line of “depth cameras,” which rely on stereo vision, structured light and time-of-flight technology to ascertain depth. The cameras are often found in robots, which use them to know exactly how far away a certain object is. Robots and drones use this technology to create 3D maps of their environments, so they can navigate and avoid obstacles to operate safely within them
In addition, RealSense makes 3D scanning technology that’s used to create 3D models of objects and environments, as well as gesture and facial recognition technologies for touchless devices and security applications.
RealSense Chief Executive Nadav Orbach claims the company has a big opportunity ahead of it thanks to the rise of AI-powered humanoid robots and autonomous mobile robots, as well as AI-powered access control and security systems. “Our independence allows us to move faster and innovate more boldly to adapt to rapidly changing market dynamics as we lead the charge in AI innovation and the coming robotics renaissance,” he said of the split with Intel.
The startup has lots of momentum going as it embarks on a solo life, with its depth cameras said to be embedded in around 60% of the world’s AMRs and humanoid robots, including those made by Mobile Industrial Robots A/S, Fit:match.ai Inc. and ANYbotics AG. All told, it boasts more than 3,000 customers globally and holds more than 80 patents relating to computer and embedded vision systems.
Moreover, it believes it’s standing on the precipice of an enormous opportunity, citing forecasts that show how the robotics market is set to quadruple in value, from $50 billion today to more than $200 billion in the next six years. A lot of that growth is expected to be driven by humanoid robots and others that rely on computer vision for awareness. In addition, RealSense says the biometrics industry is also poised for rapid growth, as the technology becomes a mainstay in airport screening and event entry systems.
Orbach said the company’s vision technologies are the secret sauce that feeds the integration of AI and robotics, paving the way for them to be used safely in everyday and work environments.
“This technology is not about replacing human creativity or decision-making, but about removing danger and drudgery from human work,” Orbach promised. “Our systems are built to amplify human potential by offloading these tasks to machines equipped with intelligent, secure and reliable vision.”
To prepare itself for the coming wave of demand for its vision and depth cameras, RealSense will use the money from today’s round to expand its go-to-market team and accelerate product development by hiring additional AI, robotics and software engineers.
Image: News/Meta AI
Support our open free content by sharing and engaging with our content and community.
Join theCUBE Alumni Trust Network
Where Technology Leaders Connect, Share Intelligence & Create Opportunities
11.4k+
CUBE Alumni Network
C-level and Technical
Domain Experts
Connect with 11,413+ industry leaders from our network of tech and business leaders forming a unique trusted network effect.
News Media is a recognized leader in digital media innovation serving innovative audiences and brands, bringing together cutting-edge technology, influential content, strategic insights and real-time audience engagement. As the parent company of News, theCUBE Network, theCUBE Research, CUBE365, theCUBE AI and theCUBE SuperStudios — such as those established in Silicon Valley and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) — News Media operates at the intersection of media, technology, and AI. .
Founded by tech visionaries John Furrier and Dave Vellante, News Media has built a powerful ecosystem of industry-leading digital media brands, with a reach of 15+ million elite tech professionals. The company’s new, proprietary theCUBE AI Video cloud is breaking ground in audience interaction, leveraging theCUBEai.com neural network to help technology companies make data-driven decisions and stay at the forefront of industry conversations.
