Intel Plans to Spin Off Its RealSense Camera Division by 2025, Retains Investment Through Intel Capital

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Intel to spin off RealSense depth camera business by mid-2025 — but it will remain part of the Intel Capital portfolio

Intel has announced plans to separate its RealSense depth camera division into a standalone company by the first half of 2025, as revealed in a discussion with The Robot Report. This new entity will continue to be a part of Intel’s Capital portfolio, preserving its current product offerings, development plans, and customer service. Intel clarifies that this move aims to unlock greater growth opportunities for RealSense and is not a response to any financial difficulties the company might be experiencing.

Intel stated, “After a decade of nurturing, we are ready to maximize the capabilities of the Intel RealSense computer vision-AI suite by establishing it as a separate entity within the Intel Capital group by mid-2025. We are dedicated to a seamless transition for our clients and will continue to support them throughout this change,” according to a statement reported by The Robot Report.

Since its inception in 2013, RealSense began as a minor project within Intel’s Perceptual Computing division and was rebranded the following year. Intel initially tried integrating RealSense cameras into its PC platforms during the mid-2010s. However, these efforts largely did not catch on, and with the rise of technologies like Windows Hello, Intel shifted its focus from mainstream adoption to specialized uses.

Currently, RealSense specializes in AI-enhanced computer vision technology, offering products such as depth cameras, biometric devices, robotics, and healthcare measurement tools. The newly planned independent company aims to delve deeper into areas such as stereo vision, robotics, and both AI software and hardware. RealSense technology is notably integral to robotics and automation sectors, with applications like the ANYbotics’s ANYmal robots, which use six RealSense D435 modules for environmental mapping and navigation.

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Intel points out that the spin-off will allow RealSense to operate with greater flexibility, adapt more quickly to market changes, and invest more directly in its own growth.

This move comes after a somewhat rocky period for RealSense. In 2021, Intel considered shuttering the division but instead opted to scale back its product range and maintain its operations. The transition to a standalone business marks a new chapter for RealSense.

While becoming an independent entity brings potential for innovation and nimbleness, it also introduces challenges in terms of financial sustainability and preserving customer and partner trust. It remains to be seen how RealSense will fare in the competitive market for cost-effective, high-quality depth-sensing technologies. However, the advantage for RealSense lies in its already established clientele.

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