What Photoneo does

Photoneo, headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia, and founded in 2013, develops 3D machine vision cameras and vision-guided robotics software used to automate industrial picking, inspection, and material-handling tasks. The company's core technology is structured-light 3D scanning, delivered through three hardware lines: the high-precision MotionCam-3D (including Color variants, capable of scanning in motion at up to 40 m/s, available in multiple size and blue/red laser configurations), the industrial-grade PhoXi 3D Scanner (XS through XL, Gen2 and Gen3), and the entry-level Alpha 3D Scanner. These sensors are paired with robotics intelligence software — Bin Picking Studio, Locator Studio, Depalletization (Universal Depalletizer), Delayering, the Anypick CAD-free piece-picking solution, and Singulator — organized around two go-to-market verticals, Smart Factory (bin picking, packaging, machine loading) and Automated Warehouse (piece picking, depalletization, delayering, singulation). The PhoXi Control application provides the device driver, GUI, and APIs (C++, C#, and an officially supported Python API as of firmware 1.17 in 2026-05), and the platform integrates with major vision and robot ecosystems including MVTec HALCON, Cognex VisionPro, Universal Robots, ABB, ROS, Matrox, Adaptive Vision, and Zebra Aurora Vision Studio.

The company monetizes primarily through hardware sales of 3D sensors, supplemented by software licensing for its robotics intelligence tools, recurring firmware and software updates, and integration services delivered through direct enterprise sales and channel partners. Named customers include BENTELER, Magna, Volkswagen, ZF, Bosch, Daikin, HYDAC, and IKEA, spanning automotive, industrial manufacturing, and retail/warehouse logistics. Photoneo has raised approximately €44.23M (~$48M) in total reported funding, including a ~$23.7M round in 2015-09 led by Credo Ventures with RSJ Investments, and a separate $40M round reported in 2024. In December 2024, Zebra Technologies announced its intent to acquire Photoneo to strengthen its 3D machine vision and vision-guided robotics capabilities; the deal closed in March 2025. Photoneo now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), with regional offices in Shanghai and North America, and a channel partnership with Pixtech covering India. The former parent group, previously known as Photoneo Brightpick Group, was renamed Brightpick and continues independently as a developer of AI-powered warehouse robots.

Name

Photoneo

Legal name

Zebra Technologies Slovakia s.r.o.

Website

https://photoneo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Photoneo, a Bratislava-based 3D machine vision and vision-guided robotics company, builds structured-light 3D cameras (MotionCam-3D, PhoXi, Alpha) and AI-powered software for bin picking, depalletization, and warehouse piece picking, serving automotive, industrial, and logistics customers. Acquired by Zebra Technologies in March 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

3D Machine Vision Systems

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Machine Vision & Industrial Imaging Systems (IMAHAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Robotics & Cobots (IMAIAMAB), Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA), Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)

Keywords

• 3D machine vision
• Vision-guided robotics
• Bin picking automation
• Structured light scanning
• Warehouse automation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bratislava

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 3D Sensor Hardware Sales: Sale of 3D scanning hardware including MotionCam-3D, PhoXi 3D Scanner, and Alpha 3D Scanner in various sizes and configurations.
2. Robotics Intelligence Software: Licensing of software products including Bin Picking Studio, Locator Studio, and depalletization solutions for industrial automation integration.
3. Software and Firmware Updates: PhoXi Control software drivers and firmware updates for Photoneo 3D sensors with associated documentation and support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Photoneo designs and manufactures structured light 3D cameras and scanners (MotionCam-3D, PhoXi 3D Scanner, Alpha 3D Scanner) and licenses AI-powered robotic intelligence software (Bin Picking Studio, Locator Studio, Depalletization, Delayering) for vision-guided robotics in industrial automation and warehouse logistics. Its products enable robots to perform tasks such as bin picking, piece picking, depalletization, delayering, machine loading, and quality inspection by capturing high-resolution 3D point clouds and 2D color data at high speed.

Product overview

Photoneo is a 3D machine vision and vision-guided robotics company (now part of Zebra Technologies) offering a integrated portfolio of hardware sensors and software tools. The hardware lineup includes three structured light 3D scanner/camera lines: the MotionCam-3D (with Color variants) providing highest precision scanning in motion up to 40 m/s across multiple size classes; the PhoXi 3D Scanner Gen3/Gen2 in industrial-grade variants from XS to XL; and the Alpha 3D Scanner as an entry-level option. These sensors are complemented by robotic intelligence software including Bin Picking Studio, Locator Studio, Depalletization, and Delayering tools. Solutions are organized around two verticals: Automated Warehouse (piece picking, depalletization, delayering, singulation) and Smart Factory (bin picking, packaging, machine loading). PhoXi Control provides the driver/GUI and API layer, with Firmware Updater supporting device maintenance. The portfolio is unified by computer vision and AI-powered process automation powering robotic guidance across logistics and manufacturing environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PhoXi: Line of industrial-grade 3D scanners for vision-guided robotics projects, available in Gen2 and Gen3 versions
• MotionCam-3D
• Bin Picking Studio
• Locator Studio
• Alpha 3D Scanner

Quantifiable outcome

• 720 tires per hour throughput for tire depalletization
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PixtechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 June 2025Photoneo partnered with Pixtech, a technology company based in India, to expand automation and modern robotics technology throughout the Indian market. The collaboration aims to expand into what Photoneo describes as one of the fastest growing markets globally. Both companies position the partnership as a strategic mission to demonstrate to regional businesses the benefits of deploying advanced vision-guided robotics systems.
• MVTec HALCONcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with MVTec HALCON machine vision software. Photoneo developed HALCON drivers and provides examples and documentation for integration with HALCON 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, and 21.
• Zebra Aurora Vision StudiocoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Zebra Aurora Vision Studio through GigE Vision support. Examples and documentation available on GitHub.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Basler AG: Basler AG is a German manufacturer of industrial cameras including 3D and area-scan cameras, serving factory automation, logistics, and robotics markets. Direct competitor in industrial 2D/3D camera hardware for vision-guided robotics applications.
• Cognex: Cognex is the largest pure-play machine vision company globally, offering 2D and 3D vision systems, vision software, and industrial barcode readers. It is the most direct competitor in industrial machine vision for factory automation and integrates with vision-guided robotics.
• IDS Imaging Development Systems: IDS is a German manufacturer of industrial cameras including 3D and Ensenso stereo cameras for industrial automation and robotics. Directly comparable 3D vision hardware competitor targeting bin picking, metrology, and robotics applications.
• Zivid: Zivid is a Norwegian 3D vision company focused on industrial 3D cameras for robotics, bin picking, and pick-and-place applications. Closely comparable to Photoneo's MotionCam-3D and PhoXi product line in target use cases and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Keyence: Keyence is a large Japanese industrial automation sensor and vision system manufacturer with a broad product portfolio including machine vision, barcode readers, and measurement sensors. Overlaps with Photoneo in industrial vision but spans a much wider automation portfolio.
• SICK AG: SICK AG is a major German industrial sensor manufacturer offering 2D and 3D vision systems, LiDAR, and machine vision solutions for factory automation and logistics. Overlaps with Photoneo in industrial 3D vision for automation.
• Zebra Technologies: Zebra Technologies is the NASDAQ-listed parent company of Photoneo, providing enterprise asset intelligence solutions including barcode printing, mobile computing, and machine vision. Post-acquisition, the combined entity addresses industrial automation and vision-guided robotics at enterprise scale.

Others

• ifm Electronic: ifm Electronic is a German sensor and industrial automation company offering 2D/3D vision sensors, position sensors, and IO-Link solutions. Overlaps with Photoneo in 3D vision for industrial automation but operates broadly across industrial sensing.
• MVTec Software: MVTec is a German machine vision software vendor (HALCON, MERLIC) that Photoneo integrates with via official drivers. Not a competitor in hardware but is an enabling software ecosystem partner comparable to how Photoneo's customers consume vision capabilities.

Emerging players

• Mech-Mind Robotics: Mech-Mind is a Chinese 3D vision and AI company offering industrial 3D cameras and vision software for robotics. Targets the same industrial bin picking and logistics use cases as Photoneo with competitive pricing in the Chinese and APAC markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/photoneo
• GitHubgithub.com/photoneo-3d
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6kQ2RUkfj8rUncqCJMX-_g
• Facebookfacebook.com/photoneo3d
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/photoneo
• Instagraminstagram.com/photoneo.3d.vision

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 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 Photoneo