Cognex agrees to acquire robotics and 3D computer vision company RealSense in a ~$600M deal, including $500M in cash; Intel spun off RealSense in July 2025 (Sophie Shulman/CTech)

Cognex plans to acquire Israeli robotics and 3D computer vision company RealSense in a deal worth roughly $600 million, including $500 million in cash. RealSense, spun off from Intel just 14 months ago, specializes in developing depth cameras and computer vision technologies that enable robots and autonomous systems to perceive and understand their surroundings.

The acquisition includes a three-year cash retention program for RealSense employees, valued at $56.5 million, and restricted stock units worth approximately $50 million. Most of RealSense's employees will receive a minimum of NIS 1 million ($330,000) as part of the deal. The acquisition is expected to benefit RealSense's 180 employees, many of whom are based in Israel.

RealSense's technology is used in various robotic systems, including fixed-arm perception-guided robotics, autonomous mobile robots, and humanoid robots. The company has more than 4,500 customers worldwide and expects to generate $80 million to $90 million in revenue in 2026. Intel still holds a 20% stake in RealSense and has one seat on its board.

The acquisition marks a significant move for Cognex, expanding its reach into robotics and diversifying its growth beyond traditional industrial machine vision.