Sense Photonics
Sense Photonics builds intelligent 3D vision systems for industrial automation and automotive sensing applications. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company combines proprietary photonic hardware with on-system intelligence for spatial perception use-cases.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Sense Photonics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sense Photonics
- Website
- https://sensephotonics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Sense Photonics builds intelligent 3D vision systems for industrial automation and automotive sensing applications. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company combines proprietary photonic hardware with on-system intelligence for spatial perception use-cases.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sense Photonics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- 3D Vision Sensors
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Machine Vision & Industrial Imaging Systems (IMAHAHAE), Autonomous Driving & ADAS Perception (HDAAAEAI)
Keywords
Where Sense Photonics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Sense Photonics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Sense Photonics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sense Photonics builds intelligent 3D vision systems for industrial and automotive use-cases. The company develops hardware-based depth perception and sensor solutions that enable autonomous perception for vehicles, robotics, and industrial automation applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Intelligent 3D Vision Systems
Companies that use Sense Photonics
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
Sense Photonics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sense Photonics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Aeva: Public 4D LiDAR-on-chip company selling FMCW-based sensing solutions to automotive and industrial customers (e.g., Nikon industrial partnership). Closely comparable to Sense Photonics in silicon-based next-gen sensing approach and dual-end-market positioning.
- Innoviz Technologies: Solid-state LiDAR vendor with announced BMW production programs and expanding industrial/robotics customers. Comparable as a direct competitor pursuing automotive design wins while extending 3D sensing into industrial robotics.
- Basler AG: Public German industrial camera and 3D vision vendor serving factory automation, robotics, and logistics. Comparable to Sense Photonics' industrial machine vision business in target customers (system integrators, OEMs) and product category (2D/3D vision systems).
- Hesai Group: Public Chinese LiDAR manufacturer with high-volume automotive wins (e.g., Li Auto) and an L4 robotaxi product line. Directly comparable in product category and dual-end-market strategy, though at significantly larger scale and with an Asian geographic core.
- RoboSense (Suteng Innovation Technology): Chinese LiDAR vendor selling mechanical and solid-state LiDAR to automotive and robotics customers globally. Comparable as a direct LiDAR peer with multi-segment exposure and aggressive pricing strategy.
- Luminar Technologies: Public LiDAR specialist focused on long-range automotive ADAS perception with growing industrial exposure. Directly comparable to Sense Photonics in core sensing technology, automotive OEM target market, and capital-intensive sensor business model.
- Ouster (Velodyne): After the Velodyne–Ouster reverse merger, the combined company is one of the largest pure-play 3D LiDAR and depth-sensing vendors, selling to both automotive and industrial customers. Directly comparable to Sense Photonics in product category (solid-state / 3D LiDAR), dual end-market focus, and business model.
Broad incumbents
- SICK AG: German industrial sensor powerhouse with a substantial 3D and LiDAR-based presence in factory automation, logistics, and outdoor automation. Overlaps with Sense Photonics' industrial machine vision segment as an established broad-line incumbent rather than a direct startup competitor.
- Valeo SA: Tier-1 automotive supplier shipping SCALA LiDAR to OEMs (Audi, Mercedes). Direct competitor in automotive LiDAR programs but competes from within a much broader ADAS/sensor portfolio, not a pure-play sensing startup.
- Cognex Corporation: Public leader in industrial machine vision with broad 2D/3D vision portfolio and a deep installed base across factory automation. Competes head-on with Sense Photonics in industrial 3D vision but is far larger and serves many more use cases outside Sense Photonics' focus.
Market position
Customer concentration
Sense Photonics social profiles
Digital presenceSense Photonics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sense Photonics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Sense Photonics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors16 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sense Photonics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sense Photonics
What does Sense Photonics do?
Sense Photonics builds intelligent 3D vision systems for industrial and automotive use-cases. The company develops hardware-based depth perception and sensor solutions that enable autonomous perception for vehicles, robotics, and industrial automation applications.
When was Sense Photonics founded?
Sense Photonics was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Sense Photonics based?
Sense Photonics is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Sense Photonics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Aeva, Innoviz Technologies, Basler AG, Hesai Group, RoboSense (Suteng Innovation Technology), Luminar Technologies and Ouster (Velodyne). Broad incumbents are SICK AG, Valeo SA and Cognex Corporation.
Does Sense Photonics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sense Photonics.
What industry is Sense Photonics in?
Sense Photonics's product category is 3D Vision Sensors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAB, Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination), with a secondary code of IMAHAHAE, Machine Vision & Industrial Imaging Systems. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3827.