Zebra Technologies to Acquire 3D Vision Innovator Photoneo!

Zebra Technologies, a leader in digital solutions that connect data and assets, has announced its intent to acquire Photoneo, a developer of 3D machine vision solutions. This acquisition aims to bolster Zebra’s position in the growing 3D machine vision market and offer customers enhanced capabilities to tackle complex industrial challenges.

The combination of Photoneo’s advanced 3D machine vision solutions with Zebra’s existing sensors, vendor-agnostic software, and AI-based image processing capabilities is set to provide customers with a comprehensive portfolio. The enhanced offerings will cater to high-value applications such as Bin Picking, Depalletizing, Creating Digital Twins, Object Inspection etc.

These solutions will benefit key markets like automotive manufacturing, logistics, and other industrial sectors.

Photoneo is a leader in the Vision-Guided Robotics (VGR) segment, with sensors certified to interface seamlessly with major robotic manufacturers. The company’s parallel structured light technology is designed for complex 3D applications, offering unmatched speed, accuracy, and resolution. This technology is ideal for robot-arm applications such as bin picking, where precision and reliability are critical.

Bill Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Zebra Technologies, highlighted the strategic significance of the acquisition:

“This acquisition addresses the needs of customers globally who want to maximize the potential of machine vision within their frontline operations. Combining Zebra’s expertise in autonomous data capture, inspection software, and deep learning AI with Photoneo’s advanced 3D technology will create a portfolio of highly differentiated solutions.”

Zebra has been investing heavily in the Machine Vision market, notably with its acquisition of Matrox Imaging in 2022. This acquisition added industrial scanners and machine vision sensors to Zebra’s portfolio, unified under the Zebra Aurora software suite.

In 2024, Zebra and Photoneo entered an OEM relationship, integrating Photoneo’s cameras into Zebra’s 3D portfolio. Building on this partnership, the acquisition will accelerate Photoneo’s innovation trajectory.

Jan Zizka, Co-founder and CEO of Photoneo Brightpick Group, expressed optimism about the collaboration:

“Zebra Technologies will provide an ideal environment for Photoneo to further accelerate its innovation. By combining Photoneo’s world-class 3D sensors with Zebra’s global reach and best-in-class 3D software, customers will unlock significant business value across new, exciting use cases.”

The acquisition reflects Zebra’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in autonomous data capture and machine vision. With the integration of Photoneo, Zebra is set to redefine possibilities in industrial automation and deliver innovative solutions to its global customer base.