Cognex to buy RealSense for about $600M, betting on robot 3D vision
The machine-vision leader intends to buy Intel's spun-out depth-camera maker; closing awaits regulatory clearance, and RealSense's revenue and profit figures are company claims.
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Cognex said it intends to acquire RealSense, the depth-camera maker spun out of Intel 14 months ago, in a deal valued at around $600 million.
About $500 million of the consideration is cash, with the rest made up of a three-year retention program worth $56.5 million and roughly $50 million in restricted stock units. Closing is expected in the fourth quarter, subject to regulatory clearance.
RealSense raised $50 million when Intel spun it out, and its depth cameras let robots and drones navigate and avoid obstacles in 3D. The company says it expects $80 million to $90 million in sales this year, up more than 50%, and has been profitable for the last two quarters; these operating figures are not independently audited.
RealSense's facial authentication business is excluded and will be spun off as a separate company before closing. Intel still holds a 20% stake and one board seat. Cognex CEO Matt Moschner said the acquisition extends Cognex into robotic perception, toward a full-stack visual intelligence platform for physical AI.