Intel RealSense D421 Depth Module. |Credit: Intel
I was a little surprised that the entry-level Intel RealSense Depth Module D421 was released in mid-September 2024. Recent financial turmoil and changes at the company made it uncertain whether Intel would continue to invest in its product line.
Well, today The Robot Report learned more about plans for a depth camera product line. Intel is spinning off RealSense as a separate company. Intel said this will be completed in the first half of 2025 and the new business will become an Intel Capital portfolio company.
“After 10 years of incubation, Intel will unlock the potential of the Intel RealSense Computer Vision AI portfolio in standalone ICAP portfolio companies by the first half of 2025,” Intel said in a statement to Robot Report. “We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our customers and will continue to provide support throughout the process.”
Intel said the RealSense spinout is not a direct result of the company’s recent financial difficulties.
“At Intel, we incubate cutting-edge, disruptive technologies and businesses to validate customer needs and market acceptance. At a certain scale, we have the flexibility to operate in the way the market demands and we It makes sense for these businesses to operate outside of Intel because it allows them to invest in key growth areas. This allows the spin-out companies to make faster decisions, increase customer solution flexibility, and compete. It allows you to remain agile in the market.
“No. Intel is executing this spinout because we believe in Intel’s values and are confident in our success as an independent company. This decision is in line with our ongoing transformation. and will help us further align with our strategic objectives of focusing on our core business.”
Intel told The Robot Report that the new version of RealSense will maintain the same product roadmap, same SKU, and continue to provide customers with the same support and service levels.
“The new company will continue to develop AI-powered computer vision solutions and build on the current Intel RealSense portfolio and our commitment roadmap, including RealSense depth cameras, facial recognition solutions, autonomous mobile robot solutions, and physical therapy metrics. RealSense plans to expand its roadmap to include new innovations in stereo vision, robotics, and biometrics AI software and hardware.
RealSense has always been a small part of Intel’s business. It is believed that the company benefited from financial stability and Intel’s abundant resources. Operating within the tech giant’s ecosystem not only provided a safety net for research and development, but also provided access to a vast network of industry partners.
Does all this apply to independent companies? Will the new RealSense need to be financed externally? Intel has a lot of questions, and we want to know more soon.
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A new chapter in RealSense
Intel RealSense Depth Camera is a popular choice for developers of mobile robots and industrial pick-and-place robots. Intel details its robotics customers on its website.
One example is the ANYmal quadruped from ANYbotics. According to Intel, each ANYmal robot is equipped with six Intel RealSense D435 modules, which work together to create an elevation map that helps the robot navigate a site or navigate difficult terrain such as climbing stairs. Make it possible to cross.
How will this new independence affect the trust of current customers? We’ll have to wait and see.
We know this is a new chapter in a three-and-a-half year story full of twists and turns. In August 2021, Intel surprised the robotics industry by announcing that it would be shutting down RealSense to focus on its core business. This surprised even RealSense’s internal leaders at the time.
However, Intel quickly reversed course, choosing to pare back the lineup and keep RealSense alive.
The robotics industry has long been on a rollercoaster ride in search of low-cost, high-quality depth sensing. The story takes another surprising turn when RealSense spins off as an independent company. Although RealSense has been freed from Intel’s restructuring priorities, independence will no doubt bring new challenges.
This is certainly not the first time Intel has spun off a company. Facing declining revenue, Intel announced in December 2024 that it may spin off its foundry business.
Self-driving car developer Mobileye was spun off from Intel in October 2022. Intel acquired Mobileye in 2017 for $15.3 billion, which at the time was the largest acquisition ever for an Israeli company. Mobileye was founded in 1999.
Intel began producing depth sensing products in its Perceptual Computing division in 2013. Intel rebranded this group to Intel RealSense in 2014.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on January 9, 2025 at 9:26 a.m. EST with new quotes from Intel regarding the RealSense spinoff decision and future product roadmap. It also corrected an error that Intel had separated its foundry business. Intel did not spin off its foundry business, but it has considered doing so.
