13 Sources
[1]
RealSense spins out of Intel to scale its stereoscopic imaging technology | TechCrunch
After 14 years of developing inside of semiconductor giant Intel, RealSense is striking out on its own. RealSense sells cameras that use stereoscopic imaging, a process that combines two images of the same object from different angles to create depth, enhanced with infrared light. This technology helps machines like robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles have a better perception of the physical world around them. The tech is also used for facial authentication. "The common denominator of all of them is they live in the real, physical world," CEO Nadav Orbach told TechCrunch. "They need to understand the surroundings in 3D and based on that, take and plan actions right in the world. And for that, they need a real-time, high-accuracy ability to understand the surrounding in 3D. And that's what we do best." Orbach joined Intel back in 2006 as a CPU architect in Israel. He started working on vision technology in 2011 before becoming the general manager of incubation and disruptive innovation in 2022 and moving to San Francisco last year. "We knew and understood that 3D perception was going to be big," Orbach said about the early days of RealSense. "To be honest, we weren't quite sure in which domain. We tried that across different market segments and different applications, all the way from gesture recognition with computers, phones, until we really found our sweet spot over the years, mostly in robotics." The company works with numerous industries outside of robotics, too. Orbach said they've heard from fish farms looking to track the volume inside their pens. Chipotle has also used RealSense cameras, in a partnership with AI restaurant software company PreciTaste, to track when food containers are low. RealSense has more than 3,000 customers and has seen a surge in new interest over the last three to four years as AI has improved. With that, the applications for robotics, especially, have scaled. The company realized it may have a better chance keeping up with demand -- and scaling itself -- if it spun out of Intel and raised its own capital, Orbach said. The spinout plans hatched last year and got the approval from former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger. The company is now independent and raised a $50 million Series A funding round from Intel Capital and other strategic investors to get started on its own. "For me, it was exciting, to be honest," Orbach said. "I'm a veteran executive in the company, but it's first time that I'm, you know, I was on the other side of the table. It was a very humbling experience for me as a first-time CEO to go and and raise money." RealSense will put the capital toward building out its go-to-market team and making improvements to its technology. The company is particularly focused on improving the tech so it can help improve safety during humans and robot interactions and to improve access control. "There is a learning curve of, you know, stepping out," Orbach said. "I'm extremely excited about that. I'm fortunate to have a very strong team with a lot of people in my team that that have entrepreneurial experience. I feel that with my background, together with with some strong teammates, I think we have the right mix for success. And for me, it's a dream coming true."
[2]
RealSense completes spin-out from Intel -- Gets $50 million in funding from Intel Capital and MediaTek
RealSense, an Intel brand known for depth cameras, on Friday announced that it had completed spinning out from Intel and will be operating independently from now on. The new company will retain the name RealSense and will focus on AI, robotics, biometrics, and computer vision. The now independent company has secured $50 million in Series A funding from Intel Capital (a nice farewell funding) and MediaTek Innovation Fund to expand its presence in existing and new markets as well as to scale its production and sales. "We are excited to build on our leadership position in 3D perception in robotics and see scalable growth potential in the rise of physical AI," said Nadav Orbach, CEO of RealSense. "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." RealSense develops depth-sensing cameras and embedded vision systems used in automation, access control, and robotics. The company says that its technologies are used in 60% of autonomous mobile robotics (AMRs) and humanoid robots worldwide, which is quite a good start. Presently, RealSense works with more than 3,000 clients globally and holds over 80 patents in computer vision technology. Partners of the company include ANYbotics, Eyesynth, Fit:Match, and Unitree Robotics. RealSense says that robotics is projected to grow from $50 billion to more than $200 billion in six years, and humanoid robot demand is increasing at over 40% annually. TSMC seems to be a bit more conservative, as predictions that it cited at its recent European Technology Symposium indicate that the market for AI robots will become a $35 billion market by 2030. But anyhow, demand for computer vision systems is set to grow rapidly in the coming years, to a large degree thanks to the proliferation of edge AI. In addition, face recognition is gaining traction in public use, from transportation hubs to venues. To meet this growing demand, RealSense is adding engineers in AI, software, and robotics. It is also expanding its sales and go-to-market teams to improve its reach in both mature and emerging markets, so $50 million from Intel and MediaTek will come in handy. The company's latest device is the D555 camera that includes Power over Ethernet and is built on the Vision SoC V5 platform. The RealSense yet has to integrate it into high-volume devices, but the company aims to continue supporting its existing products and clients while also pushing into adjacent markets, so expect D555 in a device near you. "Our mission is to enable the world to integrate robotics and AI in everyday life safely," said Orbach. "This technology is not about replacing human creativity or decision-making, but about removing danger and drudgery from human work. Our systems are built to amplify human potential by offloading these types of tasks to machines equipped with intelligent, secure, and reliable vision systems."
[3]
RealSense spins out from Intel, secures $50 million to drive AI vision in robotics
July 11 (Reuters) - Computer vision technology firm RealSense said on Friday it has completed its spinout from Intel Corp (INTC.O), opens new tab and secured $50 million in early-stage funding to accelerate expansion into the rapidly growing robotics sector. The company develops cameras that enable machines and devices to perceive the world in three dimensions, allowing them to "see" depth, interpret their surroundings, and interact with their environment. RealSense , which is backed by Intel Capital, the MediaTek Innovation Fund, and other strategic investors, is looking to capitalize on surging demand for computer vision sensors that help robots navigate and understand complex environments. The new funding will be used to scale up manufacturing and expand global go-to-market operations. CEO Nadav Orbach said the funding will also support research and development of AI software and next-generation depth cameras, but the company declined to disclose the valuation at which it raised funds. "It's true there are a lot of companies that like to be vertically integrated, and several of those are customers of ours, and we work very closely with them. But on the other hand, I have over 3,000 active customers today with a pretty wide ecosystem play and pretty high growth year over year," CEO Nadav Orbach told Reuters. Its newest camera, the D555, can transmit power and data via a single cable and features built-in AI capabilities, enabling robots and security systems to quickly understand their surroundings. The company says its depth cameras are embedded in 60% of the world's autonomous mobile robots and humanoids, with clients including China's Unitree Robotics and Switzerland's ANYbotics. In addition to robotics, RealSense is expanding into security systems that use facial recognition, leveraging its own software tools for mapping environments and identifying faces. While RealSense manufactures primarily in Thailand and Asia, its headquarters and business operations remain in the U.S. Orbach said the company is open to future IPO or acquisition opportunities but is focused on long-term growth. Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Business Akash Sriram Thomson Reuters Akash reports on technology companies in the United States, electric vehicle companies, and the space industry. His reporting usually appears in the Autos & Transportation and Technology sections. He has a postgraduate degree in Conflict, Development, and Security from the University of Leeds. Akash's interests include music, football (soccer), and Formula 1.
[4]
Intel spins out AI robotics company RealSense with $50 million raise
The new company, known as RealSense, was announced Friday and comes alongside a $50-million Series A funding round that includes MediaTek Innovation Fund and Intel Capital, the chipmaker's venture arm that it is also spinning out. RealSense, which makes the tools and technology for robotics automation, said it plans to use the funding to develop new product lines and meet growing demand worldwide. Nadav Orbach, Intel's current vice president and general manager for incubation and disruptive innovation, will serve as CEO. "The timing is now for physical AI," as the technology gains more use cases and traction, Orbach told CNBC in an interview. "We want to develop new product lines. We see the demand and we see the need, and with where it's at right now, the right thing for us was to raise external funds." Companies across the globe have ramped up investment in the burgeoning robotics space as AI use cases expand.
[5]
Intel spins off RealSense as a new depth-camera company
RealSense will target the automotive and robotics markets instead. RealSense, a depth-camera technology that basically disappeared within Intel, has returned as a separate company. The company has spun out from Intel and raised $50 million in funding. The company will be led by Nadav Orbach, Intel's former vice president and general Manager for the Incubation and Disruptive Innovation group. RealSense plans to address "increased demand for humanoid and autonomous mobile robotics (AMRs), as well as AI-powered access control and security solutions," the company said. RealSense flourished, so to speak, about a decade ago, when its depth-camera technology was competing with the Microsoft Kinect system. Though Intel was able to license the RealSense technology to device makers like Creative, the tech seemed to flounder in the PC space-even as Windows Hello and its depth-camera tech became a staple on Windows 10 PCs. Intel instead adapted its technology for the robotics market. "RealSense will continue to support its existing customer base and product roadmap, including the acclaimed RealSense depth cameras, embedded in 60 percent of the world's AMRs and humanoid robots, an incredibly fast-growing segment," RealSense said in a statement. "Its recently launched D555 depth camera, powered by the next-gen RealSense Vision SoC V5 and featuring Power over Ethernet (PoE), demonstrates the company's ongoing leadership in embedded vision technology and edge AI capabilities." Intel, meanwhile, has been feverishly working to cut costs, revamping its foundry strategy, and laying off employees in a bid to get its finances back on track.
[6]
Intel spins off AI robotics unit RealSense with $50 million
Intel is separating its artificial intelligence-powered robotics and biometric division into a standalone business, as tech companies deepen their investments in automation. The company, RealSense, officially launched Friday alongside a $50 million Series A funding round. MediaTek Innovation Fund and Intel Capital led the raise. The latter is the chipmaker's venture capital unit, which Intel is also in the process of spinning out. Shares in Intel were down 2% on Friday morning. RealSense said the capital will help it respond to "increased demand" for humanoid robotics -- that is, robots that resemble the human form. Launching the company as an independent entity "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," said Nadav Orbach, who heads Intel's innovation unit and will transition to CEO of RealSense. Orbach also boasted about building on Intel's "leadership position in 3D perception in robotics." Investors and corporations are increasingly pouring money into "physical AI" as robotic capabilities evolve and AI hype persists. The global humanoid robot market was valued at around $2.4 billion in 2023 and could grow to $66 billion by 2032, a 45% increase, according to Fortune Business Insights. "Those who are insightful or who listen carefully will understand that Optimus [Tesla's humanoid] ultimately will be worth more than the car business and worth more than full self-driving. That's my firm belief," Tesla's CEO Elon Musk said in 2022. He also noted earlier this year that training Optimus will require ten times more computation than training electric vehicle AI and has suggested that Tesla should invest $5 billion into his AI startup, xAI. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently described robotics as the chipmaker's biggest growth opportunity after AI during the firm's annual shareholder meeting in June. Intel, meanwhile, has been in restructuring mode after one of its toughest years on record. CEO Pat Gelsinger was forced to step down last year and Intel reportedly plans to reduce its workforce by 20% this year, with cuts already underway. RealSense, originally created to explore 3D vision, released its first commercial product in 2015. Today, it employs around 130 people across offices in the U.S., Israel, and China. Its technology is used by companies such as Eyesynth and Unitree Robotics to power autonomous machines, RealSense said in a statement.
[7]
Intel's RealSense spins out with $50M in funding to help AI humanoid robots see the world - SiliconANGLE
Intel's RealSense spins out with $50M in funding to help AI humanoid robots see the world 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.
[8]
RealSense completes Intel spin-out with $50m Series A investment
From left: Chris Matthieu, Fred Angelopoulos and Jimmy Carroll. Image: RealSense First announced back in January, RealSense has completed its spin-out from Intel with a $50m Series A funding round, as the latter seeks to concentrate on its core business. California-based RealSense, an AI-powered computer vision player, says its spin-out from Intel Corporation is now complete, and it has closed a $50m funding round led by an unnamed "renowned semiconductor private equity firm" and participation from investors that include Intel Capital and MediaTek Innovation Fund. Intel Capital, the venture arm of Intel, had also announced it was to spin out from Intel Corporation back in January, only for Intel's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan who joined in March to reverse course and announce on the Q1 earnings call that the spin-out was off, and that the 34-year old venture arm would remain part of the chipmaker. Incubated at Intel Corporation, RealSense was known for its leading depth cameras and vision technology used in autonomous mobile robots, access control, industrial automation, healthcare and more. RealSense says it will now operate as an independent company focused on advancing innovation in AI, robotics, biometrics and computer vision, and that the new capital will support expansion into adjacent and emerging markets. The company says it already as strong industry traction in robotics, industrial automation, security, healthcare and "tech for good" initiatives, and existing partnerships with companies such as ANYbotics, Eyesynth, Fit:Match and Unitree Robotics. "We're excited to build on our leadership position in 3D perception in robotics and see scalable growth potential in the rise of physical AI," said Nadav Orbach, CEO of RealSense, and formerly Intel's VP and general manager for the Incubation and Disruptive Innovation group. "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. "Our mission is to enable the world to integrate robotics and AI in everyday life safely," said Orbach. "This technology is not about replacing human creativity or decision-making, but about removing danger and drudgery from human work. Our systems are built to amplify human potential by offloading these types of tasks to machines equipped with intelligent, secure and reliable vision systems." As well as Orbach, other Intel veterans on the new RealSense team include Eyal Rond as VP for AI and Computer vision, Mark Yahiro as VP for Business Development and had been most recently VP and general manager for Incubation and Realsense Business at Intel, and Guy Halperin as VP and head of R&D. Halperin had held this role at RealSense for seven months during the transition. Chris Matthieu will be chief developer evangelist. RealSense now plans to expand its go-to-market team and hire additional AI, software and robotics engineers "to accelerate product development". The newly independent RealSense hopes to cash in on the global growth in robotics and biometrics. "The robotics market is projected to quadruple from $50bn today to over $200bn within six years, while demand for humanoid robots is expected to grow at a CAGR [compound annual growth rate] above 40pc," according to RealSense. Don't miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic's digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
[9]
RealSense completes Intel spinout with $50m Series A investment
Chris Matthieu, chief developer evangelist, Fred Angelopoulos, VP Sales with Jimmy Carroll, VP Operations, RealSense, at TECH B2B Marketing. Image: RealSense First announced back in January, RealSense has completed its spinout from Intel with a $50m Series A funding round, as the latter seeks to concentrate on its core business. San-Francisco-based RealSense, an AI-powered computer vision player says its spinout from Intel Corporation is now complete, and it has closed a $50m funding round led by an unnamed "renowned semiconductor private equity firm", and participation from investors that include Intel Capital and MediaTek Innovation Fund. Intel Capital, the venture arm of Intel, had also announced it was to spin out from Intel Corporation back in January, only for Intel's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan who joined in March to reverse course and announce on May's Q1 earnings call that the spinout was off, and that the 34-year old venture arm would remain part of the chipmaker. Incubated at Intel Corporation, RealSense was known for its leading depth cameras and vision technology used in autonomous mobile robots, access control, industrial automation, healthcare and more. RealSense says it will now operate as an independent company focused on advancing innovation in AI, robotics, biometrics and computer vision, and that the new capital will support expansion into adjacent and emerging markets. The company says it already as strong industry traction in robotics, industrial automation, security, healthcare and "tech for good" initiatives, and existing partnerships with companies like ANYbotics, Eyesynth, Fit:Match and Unitree Robotics. "We're excited to build on our leadership position in 3D perception in robotics and see scalable growth potential in the rise of physical AI," said Nadav Orbach, CEO of RealSense, and formerly Intel's VP and General Manager for the Incubation and Disruptive Innovation group. "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." "Our mission is to enable the world to integrate robotics and AI in everyday life safely," said Orbach. "This technology is not about replacing human creativity or decision-making, but about removing danger and drudgery from human work. Our systems are built to amplify human potential by offloading these types of tasks to machines equipped with intelligent, secure and reliable vision systems." As well as Orbach, other Intel veterans on the new RealSense team include Eyal Rond VP for AI and Computer vision, Mark Yahiro who will be VP, Business Development, and had been most recently VP and general manager, Incubation and Realsense Business at Intel, and Guy Halperin who will be VP and head of R&D. Halperin had held this role at RealSense for seven months during the transition. Chris Matthieu will be chief developer evangelist. RealSense now plans to expand its GTM (go to market) team and hire additional AI, software and robotics engineers "to accelerate product development". The newly independent RealSense hope to cash in on the global growth in robotics and biometrics. "The robotics market is projected to quadruple from $50bn today to over $200bn within six years, while demand for humanoid robots is expected to grow at a CAGR [compound annual growth rate] above 40pc," according to RealSense. Don't miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic's digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
[10]
RealSense Almost Died At Intel. Now It's Spinning Out With $50M In Funding.
Nearly four years after Intel said it planned to 'wind down' its RealSense computer vision business, the division has completed its spinout from the semiconductor giant with funding raised from investors to chase big opportunities in robotics and biometrics. Nearly four years ago, Intel said it planned to "wind down" its RealSense computer vision business. But while the business pruned a few product lines, it never fully closed. Instead, RealSense continued to invest in its line of depth-sensing cameras, including the underlying chips and software. Then on Friday, the business said it completed its spinout from Intel with $50 million in funding raised from investors, including Intel Capital and MediaTek Innovation Fund, to chase big opportunities in robotics and biometrics. [Related: Intel Spin-Off: Our InfiniBand Alternative For AI Data Centers Has A 'Devastatingly Good' Edge] In an interview with CRN, RealSense CEO Nadav Orbach, who was at Intel for more than 19 years, admitted that "there was an internal discussion" about the semiconductor giant winding down his business in the second half of 2021 to focus on its core businesses and then-CEO Pat Gelsinger's IDM 2.0 strategy as CRN reported at the time. But while the business ended up discontinuing its LiDAR, facial authentication and tracking product lines, Orbach said Gelsinger recognized the value of keeping RealSense. "The reason that Pat kept it at the end is he believed that it's an asset that will help him play in some areas" like AI, he said. For the next few years, Intel continued to hold onto RealSense -- which said it gained "proven industry traction" across robotics, industrial automation, security and other areas -- even as the chipmaker exited several other businesses during Gelsinger's tenure. During that time, RealSense "heavily invested" in its portfolio, including a new ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) that brings AI computing power to the RealSense depth cameras, according to Orbach. Then in January, the company confirmed to The Robot Report that it planned to spin out RealSense by the first half of this year to focus on its core businesses. This happened a little more than a month after Intel's board reportedly forced Gelsinger to leave and two months before Lip-Bu Tan was named as Intel's new CEO. "We're very much alive and kicking," said Orbach (pictured above). Now with funding from investors, including an undisclosed RealSense customer, the now-startup plans to expand into adjacent and emerging markets, including humanoid robotics and autonomous mobile robotics. It also expects to scale manufacturing, grow its go-to-market efforts and hire more engineers specializing in AI, software and robotics. Robotics, in particular, is an area where RealSense sees a lot of potential for growth, with the company saying that the market is projected to quadruple to more than $200 billion within six years. It also sees sustained demand for facial biometrics, which "are becoming increasingly accepted in everyday applications, from airport screening to event entry." "We understood that we have to invest in a few areas in order to continue to be relevant and to be an essential ingredient in robotics," Orbach said. "Obviously, a dense 3-D map in real time [with a] high frame rate, very accurate, is very relevant to all those robotic segments." RealSense has 130 employees between locations in the United States, Israel and China.
[11]
Intel Unleashes RealSense -- New AI, Robotics Player Scores Huge Investment - Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)
Intel Corp. INTC announced on Friday that it has separated its AI, robotics and biometric business into RealSense, an independent company. The Details: Intel also announced that RealSense has secured $50 million in Series A funding, according to CNBC. The investment round includes backing from the MediaTek Innovation Fund and Intel Capital, the chipmaker's own venture arm, which is also being spun out. Read Next: Quantum Stock Watch: ZenaTech's AI-Drone Framework, MicroCloud Hologram Investments Make Waves RealSense focuses on developing robotic automation technologies and plans to use the new funding to create innovative products and meet increasing global demand. Nadav Orbach, who previously led innovation at Intel, will become RealSense's CEO. He told CNBC that the timing is ideal for "physical AI," highlighting the growing opportunities and applications for robotics. Orbach said the company intends to launch new product lines in response to strong market demand. The robotics sector is seeing a surge in investment as AI applications expand. Morgan Stanley estimates the market for humanoid robots could reach $5 trillion by 2050. Major tech companies, including Tesla, Inc. TSLA and Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN are heavily investing in automation and Nvidia Corp. NVDA CEO Jensen Huang has identified robotics as the company's next major opportunity after AI. Why It Matters: Intel has faced a difficult period, including its worst stock performance in decades, leading to cost-cutting measures such as layoffs and the dismissal of its CEO. The company has also started selling off parts of its business, including a majority stake in its chip subsidiary Altera. RealSense was originally founded more than 10 years ago as Intel Perceptual Computing, with a focus on 3D vision technology. Its first product was launched in 2015. RealSense employs about 130 people across the U.S., Israel, and China, and supplies technology to autonomous robot makers like Eyesynth and Unitree Robotics. Orbach emphasized that RealSense is committed to improving industry safety tools and delivering user-friendly technology. Intel will keep a minority stake in the new company. Read Next: Get Ready For 800 Hours Of Blackouts, Trump's DOE Warns Image: Shutterstock INTCIntel Corp$23.34-2.02%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum28.20Growth19.20QualityN/AValue73.64Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewAMZNAmazon.com Inc$225.251.35%NVDANVIDIA Corp$166.351.37%TSLATesla Inc$309.53-0.11% This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
[12]
RealSense spins out from Intel, secures $50 million to drive AI vision in robotics
Computer vision technology firm RealSense said on Friday it has completed its spinout from Intel Corp and secured $50 million in early-stage funding to accelerate expansion into the rapidly growing robotics sector. The company develops cameras that enable machines and devices to perceive the world in three dimensions, allowing them to "see" depth, interpret their surroundings, and interact with their environment. RealSense, which is backed by Intel Capital, the MediaTek Innovation Fund, and other strategic investors, is looking to capitalize on surging demand for computer vision sensors that help robots navigate and understand complex environments. The new funding will be used to scale up manufacturing and expand global go-to-market operations. CEO Nadav Orbach said the funding will also support research and development of AI software and next-generation depth cameras, but the company declined to disclose the valuation at which it raised funds. "It's true there are a lot of companies that like to be vertically integrated, and several of those are customers of ours, and we work very closely with them. But on the other hand, I have over 3,000 active customers today with a pretty wide ecosystem play and pretty high growth year over year," CEO Nadav Orbach told Reuters. Its newest camera, the D555, can transmit power and data via a single cable and features built-in AI capabilities, enabling robots and security systems to quickly understand their surroundings. The company says its depth cameras are embedded in 60 per cent of the world's autonomous mobile robots and humanoids, with clients including China's Unitree Robotics and Switzerland's ANYbotics. In addition to robotics, RealSense is expanding into security systems that use facial recognition, leveraging its own software tools for mapping environments and identifying faces. While RealSense manufactures primarily in Thailand and Asia, its headquarters and business operations remain in the U.S. Orbach said the company is open to future IPO or acquisition opportunities but is focused on long-term growth.
[13]
RealSense spins out from Intel, secures $50 million to drive AI vision in robotics
(Reuters) -Computer vision technology firm RealSense said on Friday it has completed its spinout from Intel Corp and secured $50 million in early-stage funding to accelerate expansion into the rapidly growing robotics sector. The company develops cameras that enable machines and devices to perceive the world in three dimensions, allowing them to "see" depth, interpret their surroundings, and interact with their environment. RealSense , which is backed by Intel Capital, the MediaTek Innovation Fund, and other strategic investors, is looking to capitalize on surging demand for computer vision sensors that help robots navigate and understand complex environments. The new funding will be used to scale up manufacturing and expand global go-to-market operations. CEO Nadav Orbach said the funding will also support research and development of AI software and next-generation depth cameras, but the company declined to disclose the valuation at which it raised funds. "It's true there are a lot of companies that like to be vertically integrated, and several of those are customers of ours, and we work very closely with them. But on the other hand, I have over 3,000 active customers today with a pretty wide ecosystem play and pretty high growth year over year," CEO Nadav Orbach told Reuters. Its newest camera, the D555, can transmit power and data via a single cable and features built-in AI capabilities, enabling robots and security systems to quickly understand their surroundings. The company says its depth cameras are embedded in 60% of the world's autonomous mobile robots and humanoids, with clients including China's Unitree Robotics and Switzerland's ANYbotics. In addition to robotics, RealSense is expanding into security systems that use facial recognition, leveraging its own software tools for mapping environments and identifying faces. While RealSense manufactures primarily in Thailand and Asia, its headquarters and business operations remain in the U.S. Orbach said the company is open to future IPO or acquisition opportunities but is focused on long-term growth. (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
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RealSense, Intel's depth-sensing camera technology division, has spun out as an independent company, securing $50 million in Series A funding to scale its 3D perception technology for robotics, AI, and computer vision applications.
RealSense, a division of Intel known for its depth-sensing camera technology, has completed its spin-out from the semiconductor giant after 14 years of internal development 12. The newly independent company, retaining the RealSense name, has secured $50 million in Series A funding from Intel Capital and MediaTek Innovation Fund to fuel its growth and innovation in the 3D perception technology space 23.
Source: Benzinga
Nadav Orbach, a veteran Intel executive who joined the company in 2006 as a CPU architect in Israel, will lead RealSense as its CEO 1. Under Orbach's leadership, the company plans to focus on AI, robotics, biometrics, and computer vision applications 2. The spin-out and funding round received approval from former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, marking a significant milestone for both companies 1.
Source: CRN
RealSense specializes in stereoscopic imaging technology, which combines two images from different angles with infrared light to create accurate depth perception 1. This technology is crucial for machines like robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles to understand and interact with their physical surroundings 1. The company's depth cameras are currently embedded in 60% of the world's autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and humanoid robots 25.
The company's latest offering, the D555 camera, features Power over Ethernet and is built on the Vision SoC V5 platform, showcasing RealSense's continued innovation in embedded vision technology and edge AI capabilities 25. Beyond robotics, RealSense's technology finds applications in various industries, including:
With the robotics market projected to grow significantly in the coming years, RealSense is positioning itself to capitalize on this expansion 2. The company currently serves over 3,000 customers globally and holds more than 80 patents in computer vision technology 2. To meet growing demand, RealSense plans to:
Source: Tom's Hardware
RealSense collaborates with notable partners such as ANYbotics, Eyesynth, Fit:Match, and Unitree Robotics 2. While the company remains open to future IPO or acquisition opportunities, its current focus is on long-term growth and expansion in the rapidly evolving AI and robotics sectors 3.
As RealSense embarks on its journey as an independent entity, it aims to enable the safe integration of robotics and AI into everyday life, emphasizing the enhancement of human potential rather than replacing human creativity or decision-making 2. With its strong market position and fresh capital infusion, RealSense is well-positioned to drive innovation in 3D perception technology and shape the future of AI-powered vision systems.
Goldman Sachs is testing Devin, an AI software engineer developed by Cognition, potentially deploying thousands of instances to augment its human workforce. This move signals a significant shift towards AI adoption in the financial sector.
5 Sources
Technology
6 hrs ago
5 Sources
Technology
6 hrs ago
AI adoption is rapidly increasing across businesses and consumers, with tech giants already looking beyond AGI to superintelligence, suggesting the AI revolution may be further along than publicly known.
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Technology
14 hrs ago
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Technology
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Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI is preparing for a new funding round that could value the company at up to $200 billion, marking a significant increase from its previous valuation and positioning it as one of the world's most valuable private companies.
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Business and Economy
6 hrs ago
3 Sources
Business and Economy
6 hrs ago
Amazon Web Services is set to unveil an AI agent marketplace, featuring Anthropic as a prominent partner, aiming to streamline AI agent distribution and accessibility for businesses.
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Technology
22 hrs ago
2 Sources
Technology
22 hrs ago
The United Nations' International Telecommunication Union urges companies to implement advanced tools for detecting and eliminating AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes to counter risks of election interference and financial fraud.
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Technology
6 hrs ago
2 Sources
Technology
6 hrs ago