Scantinel Photonics
Scantinel Photonics (now Scantinel GmbH, a MicroVision subsidiary) develops FMCW LiDAR sensors on photonic integrated circuits for automotive ADAS, autonomous mobility, and industrial automation customers, with detection ranges exceeding 300 meters and solid-state CMOS-fabricated chip architecture.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersUlm, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Scantinel Photonics does
Scantinel Photonics GmbH, founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Carl Zeiss AG's LiDAR research program (initiated 2016), develops Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR sensors based on photonic integrated circuits (PICs) fabricated on standard CMOS technology. Its core product, "FMCW LiDAR on Chip," operates at a 1550nm wavelength and delivers detection ranges beyond 300 meters at 10% reflectivity with simultaneous per-pixel range and velocity measurement. The proprietary Optical Enhanced Array (OEA™) provides solid-state scanning without moving parts, while the Optoelectronics Core Module (OCM™) is a modular architecture designed for integration into OEM-specific ecosystems. A co-development partnership with Imec enables wafer-level CMOS-compatible fabrication, and the latest B-Sample chip demonstrates a 20dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio and a tenfold reduction in power consumption.
The company serves automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers (targeting ADAS and autonomous driving for passenger cars, commercial trucks, and robo-taxis), industrial automation customers (logistics, autonomous cranes, robotics, mining equipment), and selective defense and infrastructure applications. Its go-to-market is enterprise field sales with direct OEM engagement, supplemented by industry events (CES 2025, automotive symposiums) and accelerator partnerships (Goldbell MoveSG Singapore). Revenue mechanics were anchored in pre-commercial development partnerships, hardware sample sales, and design-win pursuits rather than volume production; pricing has not been publicly disclosed. The company raised approximately €17.5 million in venture funding across a 2021 round led by Scania Growth Capital and a 2022 extended Series A led by PhotonDelta (with ZEISS Ventures and Scania Growth Capital), followed by a $25 million Series B in late 2025. In January 2026, MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS) acquired Scantinel's business and assets, forming a new German entity (Scantinel GmbH) in Ulm and absorbing approximately 20 engineers; Scantinel now operates as a subsidiary within MicroVision's consolidated sensor lineup targeting commercial-vehicle and passenger-car ADAS markets.
Scantinel Photonics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Scantinel Photonics
- Legal name
- Scantinel GmbH
- Website
- https://scantinel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Scantinel Photonics (now Scantinel GmbH, a MicroVision subsidiary) develops FMCW LiDAR sensors on photonic integrated circuits for automotive ADAS, autonomous mobility, and industrial automation customers, with detection ranges exceeding 300 meters and solid-state CMOS-fabricated chip architecture.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Scantinel Photonics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive LiDAR Sensors
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- LiDAR & 3D Sensing Modules (HDAHALAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Imaging Sensors (CMOS/CCD/ToF/Depth) (HDAHALAF), Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB)
Keywords
Where Scantinel Photonics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ulm
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Scantinel Photonics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- FMCW LiDAR Sensors and Modules: Sale of FMCW LiDAR hardware products including sensors and modules to automotive OEMs, mobility companies, and industrial automation customers. The technology is designed for mass production at competitive pricing.
- Technology Licensing (Post-MicroVision Acquisition): Following January 2026 acquisition by MicroVision, the technology is being integrated into MicroVision's product portfolio for commercial vehicle and passenger car ADAS markets, potentially generating licensing and technology transfer revenue.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Scantinel Photonics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Scantinel develops and manufactures Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR sensors and photonic integrated circuits (PIC) for autonomous vehicles and industrial automation. The core product is an FMCW LiDAR on Chip operating at 1550nm wavelength with detection range beyond 300 meters, built on standard CMOS fabrication processes enabling mass production scalability. The portfolio includes the proprietary Optical Enhanced Array (OEA™) solid-state scanning system and the modular Optoelectronics Core Module (OCM™) designed for seamless integration into any OEM ecosystem.
Product overview
Scantinel Photonics (now Scantinel GmbH, a subsidiary of MicroVision since January 2026) offers a unified FMCW LiDAR product portfolio centered on its core FMCW LiDAR on Chip technology at 1550nm wavelength. The product family includes the proprietary Optical Enhanced Array (OEA™) scanning system and Optoelectronics Core Module (OCM™) as key components that integrate with the photonic integrated circuits (PIC). The portfolio progresses through generations of PIC technology—from the first generation with OEA™ for long-range detection to the second generation PIC and B-Sample photonic scanner-detector chip—all building toward the ultimate SingleChip LiDAR solution. The modular architecture allows OEM ecosystem integration while maintaining mass production scalability through standard CMOS technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FMCW LiDAR on Chip The core LiDAR sensor product using Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave technology at 1550nm wavelength, featuring detection range over 300 meters and designed for mass production at competitive pricing. Targeted at automotive OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, and industrial automation customers for autonomous driving and ADAS applications.
- Optical Enhanced Array (OEA™) Proprietary solid-state scanning system delivering outstanding scanning results with effective detection range of more than 300 meters. Enables full-solid scanning technology for autonomous driving applications without moving parts.
- Optoelectronics Core Module (OCM™) Modular component that can be integrated into any OEM ecosystem, featuring scalable signal processing, algorithms, and architecture for different use cases and applications. Platform-agnostic and modular approach enables seamless integration across industries.
- First FMCW LiDAR Silicon Chip with OEA™ (256-channel) First chip-scale Optical Enhanced Array (OEA™) LiDAR scanning system based on Photonic Integrated Circuit with 256 channels enabling full performance of long range (>300m) detection with solid-state scanning. Developed in cooperation with Imec enabling CMOS-compatible fabrication at wafer-level.
- Full Solid-State Parallelized FMCW 5D+ LiDAR System World-first full solid-state parallelized FMCW 5D+ LiDAR system based on Photonic Integrated Circuit, measuring three-dimensional vector, velocity, reflectivity, and meta information with superior robustness and scanning rate potential.
- Second Generation FMCW LiDAR Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Second generation chip-scale massively parallelized photonic integrated circuit (PIC) bringing SingleChip LiDAR closer to reality with exceptional high pixel rate and high signal-to-noise ratio. Represents a major step toward a fully integrated single-chip LiDAR solution.
- Next-Generation Photonic Scanner-Detector Chip (B-Sample) Next generation Photonic Single Chip based on standard CMOS technology featuring fully integrated massively parallel detector system for coherent LiDAR. Demonstrated 20dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio and 10x reduction in power consumption compared to previous solid-state LiDAR scanners. Samples available Q4 2024.
Quantifiable outcome
- Detection range >300m at 10% reflectivity with 90% detection probability
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Scantinel Photonics
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Scantinel Photonics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Scantinel Photonics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MicroVisioncoreAcquired Scantinel in January 2026 for its FMCW Lidar business. MicroVision is collaborating with Zeiss Group, Scania, PhotonVentures, and PhotonDelta to accelerate productization and commercialization of the FMCW technology.
- Frank LindenbergcoreFormer member of Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG as CFO and Head of Corporate Strategy. Appointed Chairman of Advisory Board to provide strategic vision and industry expertise. Brings over 30 years of automotive industry experience and investor contacts.
- Goldbell (MoveSG Accelerator)minorMoveSG Accelerator program helmed by Goldbell, Singapore's largest player in leasing and distribution of commercial vehicles. Provides access to innovators, investors, institutions, and leading global transport and mobility corporate partners in Asia-Pacific.
- Mikael AdelsbergcoreHead of Connected, Autonomous & Embedded Systems at Scania. Appointed to advisory board. Brings OEM know-how and understanding of autonomous vehicle requirements to the company.
- Karl HauptcoreFormer Head of Driver Assistance Systems at Continental for seven years with 36+ years at Continental. Appointed Chairman of Advisory Board. Recognized expert in assistance systems and automotive industry.
- ImeccoreWorld-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Development and fabrication of PIC was made in cooperation with Imec, enabling CMOS-compatible fabrication at wafer-level.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Scantinel Photonics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Luminar Technologies: Publicly-traded developer of long-range ToF LiDAR sensors and perception software for automotive ADAS and autonomous vehicles, with major OEM partnerships (Volvo, Mercedes-Benz). Directly comparable automotive LiDAR peer chasing the same ADAS design wins as Scantinel.
- Innoviz Technologies: Solid-state LiDAR (ToF) supplier with series-production wins at BMW and Volkswagen. Directly competes for automotive OEM LiDAR sockets against Scantinel's FMCW offering.
- Hesai Group: China-based high-volume automotive and robotics LiDAR manufacturer. Competes on cost and scale in the same automotive LiDAR market, including commercial vehicle and robo-taxi segments.
- RoboSense: Automotive and robotics LiDAR supplier with strong ties to Chinese OEMs. A direct competitor in the automotive LiDAR market, with comparable product positioning around solid-state scanning.
- Aeva: FMCW LiDAR-on-chip developer targeting automotive and industrial applications. The closest direct technical peer to Scantinel, also using silicon-photonics FMCW and pursuing OEM design wins.
- SiLC Technologies: FMCW LiDAR startup using silicon photonics for machine vision, robotics and mobility. Competes head-to-head with Scantinel's coherent-detection LiDAR architecture.
- Ouster: Digital LiDAR (ToF) supplier serving automotive, robotics, and smart infrastructure markets. Direct competitor for the industrial automation and mobility LiDAR use cases Scantinel targets.
- AEye: Adaptive LiDAR supplier for automotive and mobility applications. Competes with Scantinel for OEM partnerships in the ADAS and autonomous driving LiDAR market.
Broad incumbents
- MicroVision: NASDAQ-listed LiDAR and sensing solutions company that acquired Scantinel in January 2026. Operates a broader automotive and industrial sensing portfolio, of which Scantinel's FMCW technology is now a component.
- Mobileye: Intel-owned supplier of ADAS and autonomous driving solutions including internal LiDAR development. A broad incumbent whose EyeQ-based ADAS platform and internal sensing roadmap compete with Scantinel at the OEM tier.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Scantinel Photonics social profiles
Digital presenceScantinel Photonics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Scantinel Photonics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Scantinel Photonics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Scantinel 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 Scantinel Photonics
What does Scantinel Photonics do?
Scantinel develops and manufactures Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR sensors and photonic integrated circuits (PIC) for autonomous vehicles and industrial automation. The core product is an FMCW LiDAR on Chip operating at 1550nm wavelength with detection range beyond 300 meters, built on standard CMOS fabrication processes enabling mass production scalability. The portfolio includes the proprietary Optical Enhanced Array (OEA™) solid-state scanning system and the modular Optoelectronics Core Module (OCM™) designed for seamless integration into any OEM ecosystem.
Is Scantinel Photonics a public or private company?
Scantinel Photonics is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Scantinel Photonics founded?
Scantinel Photonics was founded in 2019. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Scantinel Photonics based?
Scantinel Photonics is headquartered in Ulm, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Scantinel Photonics make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. FMCW LiDAR Sensors and Modules are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing (Post-MicroVision Acquisition).
Who are Scantinel Photonics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Luminar Technologies, Innoviz Technologies, Hesai Group, RoboSense, Aeva, SiLC Technologies, Ouster and AEye. Broad incumbents are MicroVision and Mobileye.
Does Scantinel Photonics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Scantinel Photonics.
What industry is Scantinel Photonics in?
Scantinel Photonics's product category is Automotive LiDAR Sensors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAG, LiDAR & 3D Sensing Modules, with a secondary code of HDAHALAF, Imaging Sensors (CMOS/CCD/ToF/Depth). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.