What Phlux Technologies does

Phlux Technologies is a Pittsburgh-based early-stage hardware company developing software-defined 3D light curtain sensors for industrial robot and automation safety. Founded in 2020, the company builds sensors that create adaptive, volumetric 3D safety boundaries in software, replacing physical fences and flat 2D scanner planes for fixed industrial robot cells, collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), autonomous forklifts, and emerging mobile manipulator platforms.

The Phlux product family currently comprises two evaluation-grade 3D light curtain sensors—the flagship PF090 with a 4m working range, 80°×75° field of view, dual-curtain capability, and 25 Hz update rate, and the first-generation PF085 with a 3m range, 40°×75° field of view, and 30 Hz update rate—both integrated via OSSD safety outputs and digital inputs to industrial safety controllers. A next-generation 3D safety system engineered to meet IEC 61496 Cat. 3 / PL d requirements is in development, which would unlock safety-rated production deployments. The proprietary value proposition centers on software-defined virtual fences that shrink exclusion zones, eliminate physical caging, reduce false stops in dynamic cells, and provide boundary-break incident context.

Phlux operates an enterprise field-sales motion, capturing prospects through "Get Quote" and "Request Early Access" CTAs on phlux.io and routing evaluation customers into a direct Early Access Program. Revenue is derived from hardware sales of evaluation sensors with potential follow-on configuration and support services; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company is backed by non-dilutive funding from the National Science Foundation SBIR program and the U.S. Department of the Navy, with co-investment from Innovation Works and the Internet Investment Fund, and lists Carnegie Mellon University as a research partner. The company is led by CEO and co-founder Joe Bartels.

Name

Phlux Technologies

Legal name

Phlux Technologies, Inc.

Website

https://phlux.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Phlux Technologies develops software-defined 3D light curtain sensors that replace physical fences and 2D scanners with adaptive volumetric safety boundaries for industrial robots, cobots, AMRs, autonomous forklifts, and emerging mobile manipulator platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial 3D Sensors

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

LiDAR & 3D Sensing Modules (HDAHALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Active Safety Sensing Hardware Manufacturing (Radar/LiDAR/Cameras/Ultrasonic) (IMACAMAF), Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO)

Keywords

• 3D sensing technology
• Time-of-flight sensors
• Infrared sensor modules
• Industrial automation sensors
• Robotic perception hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 3D Safety Sensor Hardware: Phlux sells its PF090 and PF085 3D Light Curtain sensors as physical hardware products. Customers purchase evaluation units for testing and pilot deployments, with a future safety-certified production system planned. Revenue is derived from hardware sales, likely supplemented by software configuration and support services.
2. Software Configuration & Support Services: The software-defined nature of the platform suggests potential for recurring software configuration, tuning, and support service revenue tied to customer deployments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Phlux Technologies designs and manufactures infrared time-of-flight (ToF) sensor modules — including its flagship PF090 and first-generation PF085 products — that deliver high-sensitivity 3D sensing for robotics and industrial automation. The company also has a next-generation Category 3/PLd functional safety sensor system in development for safety-critical industrial applications.

Product overview

Phlux Technologies offers a family of 3D safety sensors built for industrial automation and robotics. The current portfolio includes two evaluation-grade products: the flagship PF090 (latest-generation 3D light curtain with dual-curtain capability, 4m range, and 25 Hz update rate) and the PF085 (first-generation sensor for narrow cells and early validation with 3m range and 30 Hz update rate). Both evaluation models are not safety-certified. A next-generation Cat 3/PLd certified 3D safety system is in development for production environments. The platform enables software-defined safety zones that replace physical barriers, integrating with robot arms, AMRs, and industrial machinery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PF090 infrared ToF sensor module Flagship high-sensitivity 3D infrared time-of-flight sensor module that delivers 3D perception for robotics and industrial automation systems. Sells to OEMs and system integrators building robotic platforms and machine-vision products.
• PF085 infrared ToF sensor module (first generation) First-generation 3D infrared time-of-flight sensor module providing 3D sensing for industrial automation and robotics applications, supporting Phlux's customer evaluation and design-in cycles for the ToF platform.
• Next-generation Cat 3/PLd functional safety sensor system In-development functional safety-rated 3D infrared sensor system targeting Category 3 / Performance Level d (Cat 3/PLd) compliance for safety-critical industrial automation and robotics applications. Intended for OEMs requiring safety-rated sensing subsystems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Eliminates physical fencing and caging, freeing up floor space and enabling more efficient fenceless workcell design
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhlux Technologies displays the Carnegie Mellon University logo in its 'Our Partners' section. CMU is a leading robotics research institution, suggesting a research collaboration or technology development partnership that leverages CMU's robotics expertise for Phlux's 3D safety platform.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Ouster: Ouster is a 3D lidar / digital FLASH sensor company serving robotics, AMRs, and industrial automation. It competes with Phlux at the hardware layer for volumetric 3D perception, though not yet as a certified safety device.

Broad incumbents

• SICK AG: SICK is a global leader in industrial safety sensors and 3D/2D safety light curtains for robotics and factory automation. It is the dominant incumbent Phlux is positioning to disrupt with its software-defined 3D safety platform.
• Keyence Corporation: Keyence is a broad industrial sensor and safety equipment giant with deep presence in factory automation customers. It competes indirectly with Phlux where 3D and 2D safety scanners replace fences and barriers.
• Pilz GmbH & Co. KG: Pilz is a specialist in machine safety, safety controllers, and certified safety devices. It sets the IEC 61496 compliance benchmark Phlux is targeting, and competes in the same robot-cell safety retrofit market.
• Omron Corporation: Omron provides industrial automation, safety light curtains, and 3D / time-of-flight sensing for robotics. It competes with Phlux for robot OEM and AMR safety design-ins.
• Pepperl+Fuchs: Pepperl+Fuchs is an established provider of industrial sensors and safety devices for hazardous areas and factory automation. It competes with Phlux in robot-cell and AGV/AMR safety sensing.
• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is a major industrial automation platform vendor with safety scanners, safety controllers, and a robot-cell ecosystem. It is the OEM channel incumbent Phlux must integrate with or displace.

Direct peers

• Banner Engineering: Banner Engineering is a direct competitor in industrial safety light curtains and safety laser scanners. Its EZ-SCREEN and safety scanner lines cover similar protective-zone applications to Phlux's 3D light curtains.
• ifm Electronic: ifm supplies 3D and time-of-flight safety/tof cameras and proximity sensors for industrial and mobile robot applications. Its PMD 3D ToF cameras are a competing technology path to Phlux's 3D light curtains.
• Micro-Epsilon: Micro-Epsilon is a specialist in industrial 3D measurement and laser-based sensors used for robot perception and safety-relevant applications. Its 3D triangulation and LiDAR sensors are a peer technology to Phlux's light-curtain approach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phlux

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Phlux Technologies