PMD technologies
PMD technologies is a German fabless semiconductor IP company developing 3D Time-of-Flight image sensors based on its patented photonic mixer device principle, partnering with Infineon to supply the REAL3 sensor family to consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial automation OEMs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSiegen, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PMD technologies does
PMD technologies (pmdtechnologies gmbh), founded in 2002 in Siegen, Germany, is a fabless semiconductor IP company specializing in 3D Time-of-Flight (ToF) depth-sensing technology based on its proprietary photonic mixer device (pmd) measurement principle. The company develops CMOS 3D image sensors, associated illumination drivers, and system-level reference designs, with a portfolio anchored by over 300 worldwide patents covering the pmd measurement principle and patented features including Suppression of Background Illumination (SBI) at the pixel level and Hybrid ToF (hToF) architecture combining iToF flood with dToF spot illumination. Since 2005, pmd has operated as part of the ifm group (ifm electronic gmbh as shareholder/parent), and since 2013 it has co-developed the REAL3 image sensor family with Infineon Technologies, which provides semiconductor manufacturing scale, SoC integration, and global distribution.
The product portfolio includes the IRS2381C VGA imager (4.6 x 5 mm), the IRS2877C + IRS9100C miniaturized module for smartphones, hToF camera modules (31x16x8 mm) for robotics, automotive-grade REAL3 in-cabin sensing cameras certified to ISO26262 ASIL-B and AEC-Q100, the Royale software suite for calibration and depth processing, and a C++ SDK that supports ROS, OpenCV, OpenNI2, Matlab, C, and DotNet. Development kits (pico flexx and pico monstar) and middleware partnerships, including the recent AIDE AI Depth Enhancement partnership with Namuga and the Edge AI ToF MOU with meerecompany, extend the platform into higher-level applications. Customer segments are organized by vertical: Consumer Electronics (smartphones, AR/VR headsets including Magic Leap 2, consumer robotics such as Roborock Saros Z70 and Qrevo Slim, and legacy OEMs LG, Sharp, Lenovo, ASUS), Automotive (driver monitoring, occupant detection, gesture HMI), and Industrial (3D cameras for AGVs, AMRs, quality assurance, with ifm's O3D camera reaching 98.5% pick accuracy in autonomous forklifts).
PMD monetizes through licensing/royalties on the REAL3 sensor family sold via Infineon's distribution network, professional services including reference design customization, calibration equipment, and on-site Field Application Engineering to high-volume module makers, and direct hardware sales of development kits through a dedicated e-commerce platform (3d.pmdtec.com). Marketing relies on industry events (CES, MWC, IFA Berlin, Hannover Messe, AWE), developer relations, and earned media coverage. Five offices (Siegen HQ, Seoul, Shanghai, San Jose, plus Tokyo presence) support OEM integration across EMEA, North America, and Asia-Pacific. Leadership comprises co-founders Prof. Dr. Bernd Buxbaum (CEO/CTO) and Jochen Penne (Managing Director), each with over two decades of tenure in 3D depth sensing.
PMD technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PMD technologies
- Legal name
- pmdtechnologies gmbh
- Website
- https://pmdtec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- PMD technologies is a German fabless semiconductor IP company developing 3D Time-of-Flight image sensors based on its patented photonic mixer device principle, partnering with Infineon to supply the REAL3 sensor family to consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial automation OEMs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PMD technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- 3D Image Sensors (Time-of-Flight)
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Imaging Sensors (CMOS/CCD/ToF/Depth) (HDAHALAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sensors, MEMS & Imaging ICs (HDAHAAAG), Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB), Discrete Manufacturing IIoT (Automotive/Electronics/Machinery) (IMAIAMAN), Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration) (HDAHALAO)
Keywords
Where PMD technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Siegen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
PMD technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- 3D Image Sensor Licensing: Licensing of proprietary pmd ToF technology and 3D image sensors to OEM manufacturers for integration into consumer electronics, automotive, and robotics products.
- Reference Design and Support Services: Providing reference designs for 3D camera modules with customization support, calibration equipment, and field application engineering services to module manufacturing partners.
- 3D Development Kits: Sale of pico flexx and pico monstar development kits for prototyping and development, available through dedicated e-commerce platform.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
PMD technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PMD technologies is a fabless semiconductor company that designs and licenses CMOS-based 3D Time-of-Flight (ToF) image sensors and system components based on its proprietary photonic mixer device (pmd) principle. The company develops REAL3 image sensors jointly with Infineon, Hybrid ToF cameras, supporting software/SDK, and development kits sold to OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and module manufacturers across consumer, automotive, and industrial markets.
Product overview
PMD technologies develops cutting-edge 3D image sensors and system components based on Time-of-Flight (ToF) depth-sensing technology. The product portfolio centers on the REAL3 3D image sensor family (IRS2381C, IRS2877C), jointly developed with Infineon, alongside proprietary Hybrid ToF (hToF) technology that combines iToF flood illumination with dToF spot illumination. Supporting the sensor hardware are the Royale software suite (for calibration, configuration, and depth processing) and a C++ SDK supporting multiple languages and platforms. The company offers dedicated development kits (pico flexx and pico monstar) for prototyping through mass production. Solutions span three primary markets: consumer (smartphones, AR headsets, robots), automotive (in-cabin sensing, gesture control, driver monitoring), and industrial (automation, quality assurance).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- pmdindustrial gmbh: A separate entity focused on the Industrial market, part of the pmd group ecosystem.
Quantifiable outcome
- Robot vacuum cleaner height reduced by 20-30%
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use PMD technologies
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
PMD technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability5 records
Feature6 records
PMD technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, flagship, core and minor.
- NamugastrategicPartnership announced January 2026 for joint development of next-generation 3D ToF camera solutions powered by pmd's AIDE (AI Depth Enhancement) technology. Namuga provides camera module mass production expertise and AI-based image recognition capabilities for robotics, consumer electronics, displays, and mobility applications.
- meerecompanystrategicMOU signed December 2025 for Edge AI-based ToF 3D camera business. meerecompany's CubeEye brand combines self-developed processing chips and algorithms with pmd/Infineon ToF imagers. S.Cube series for indoor measurement, I.Cube series for outdoor long-range. Prototype expected 2026.
- RoborockflagshipRoborock uses Infineon/pmd REAL3 ToF technology in Qrevo Slim (2024) and Saros Z70 (2025) robot vacuum cleaners. Technology enables 20-30% slimmer robots and industry-first 5-axis robot arm in Saros Z70 for obstacle removal.
- OMS Microelectronics (Jiangxi OMS Microelectronics)strategicOMS manufactures hToF camera modules for next-generation smart robots. Partnership enables small size, low power consumption, and reduced overall application cost for hybrid ToF cameras.
- OfilmcoreOfilm manufactures hybrid ToF camera modules for Roborock robots. One of the module manufacturing partners using pmd/Infineon sensors and reference designs.
- Magic LeapflagshipMagic Leap 2 uses pmd/Infineon ToF technology as key component for immersive AR experiences. Sensor enables environmental mapping, object detection, surface detection, occlusion, and gesture control with 300,000+ precise 3D data points.
- SharpflagshipSharp AQUOS R5G 5G smartphone launched spring 2020 uses REAL3 3D image sensor for real-time video bokeh effect, photography enhancement, and AR applications.
- QualcommstrategicJointly developed reference designs for face-authentication use cases on Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform, enabling secure authentication in Android smartphones.
- LG ElectronicsflagshipLG G8 ThinQ - third mass market smartphone with pmd ToF technology. User-facing ToF camera enables secure face authentication for payments, palm vein recognition, and gesture control via Air Motion feature.
- BytonstrategicByton M-Byte SUV uses pmd ToF sensors for in-car gesture control operating the 48-inch Shared Experience Display (SED). pmd sensors enable passengers to control infotainment with hand gestures.
- Mayfield RoboticsminorKuri home robot used pmd ToF depth sensing for autonomous navigation and environment understanding. First production shipped December 2017.
- ASUSflagshipAsus ZenFone AR used pmd ToF technology for AR/VR smartphone applications, second Tango phone launched 2017.
- LenovoflagshipWorld's first Project Tango smartphone (Lenovo Phab Pro) with pmd 3D sensor launched June 2016, enabling AR experiences.
- GooglestrategicGoogle and pmd collaborated on Project Tango to develop first mass market smartphone with 3D sensor. Led to Lenovo Phab Pro launch in 2016 and Asus ZenFone AR in 2017.
- Infineon Technologies AGcoreStrategic co-development partnership since 2013 for REAL3 3D image sensor family. Infineon provides semiconductor manufacturing scale, SoC integration, and global distribution. pmd contributes pixel technology and ToF expertise. Sensors used in millions of devices across consumer, automotive, and robotics markets.
- ifm electronic gmbhcoreifm became shareholder in 2005 and is parent company. ifm is market leader in industrial automation with 7,000+ employees in 85 countries. pmdindustrial gmbh focuses on industrial market with ifm partnership. ifm O3D industrial ToF cameras use pmd technology.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PMD technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Infineon Technologies: Infineon is pmd's primary co-development and distribution partner for the REAL3 ToF image sensor family and also sells competing 3D depth-sensing products. Both companies target automotive in-cabin sensing, robotics, and consumer electronics with ToF silicon.
- Sony Semiconductor Solutions: Sony is the dominant global image sensor vendor and a major ToF/depth-sensing competitor through its IMX depth and time-of-flight product lines serving smartphones, automotive, and industrial customers. It competes head-to-head with pmd/Infineon REAL3 in mobile and automotive.
- STMicroelectronics: ST's VL53L time-of-flight and FlightSense product family is a direct competitor to pmd's sensors in smartphones, robots, and industrial proximity/ranging applications. ST sells its own integrated ToF modules and SoCs to a similar OEM base.
- ams Osram: ams Osram produces VCSEL illumination and ToF sensor ICs that pair with pmd's pmd-based imagers, making it both a potential component supplier and a competitor in 3D sensing modules for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.
- Orbbec: Orbbec is a Chinese 3D vision company producing ToF, structured light, and stereo cameras for robotics, logistics, and AR/VR. It directly competes with pmd's reference designs and pmdindustrial O3D-style cameras in robotics and industrial automation.
- Intel RealSense: Intel RealSense offers depth cameras (including ToF and stereo) for robotics, AR/VR, and industrial applications, positioning it as a direct competitor to pmd's pico development kit family and pmdindustrial O3D cameras in prototyping and production.
Broad incumbents
- Texas Instruments: TI offers OPT (Optical Position and Time) ToF sensors, mmWave, and broader analog/sensor portfolios. It competes with pmd in industrial automation, robotics, and automotive sensing, though its ToF focus is narrower than pmd's.
- Microsoft (Azure Kinect / ToF depth): Microsoft's Azure Kinect developer kit integrated ToF depth cameras (originally from partners) for computer vision, robotics, and AR/VR — placing it in the same ToF/3D depth-sensing developer ecosystem as pmd's pico flexx/monstar kits.
Emerging players
- Lumentum: Lumentum is a leading VCSEL and edge-emitting laser supplier whose components enable ToF illumination in 3D cameras across consumer, automotive, and industrial applications, directly overlapping with pmd's VCSEL-illuminated ToF architecture.
- Occipital (Structure): Occipital's Structure depth sensors (structured light and ToF) and Canvas/FastCAD scan software target AR, mobile 3D scanning, and robotics, providing an alternative depth platform competing with pmd in developer and robotics use cases.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PMD technologies social profiles
Digital presencePMD technologies compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
PMD technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PMD technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
PMD technologies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
PMD technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PMD technologies 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 PMD technologies
What does PMD technologies do?
PMD technologies is a fabless semiconductor company that designs and licenses CMOS-based 3D Time-of-Flight (ToF) image sensors and system components based on its proprietary photonic mixer device (pmd) principle. The company develops REAL3 image sensors jointly with Infineon, Hybrid ToF cameras, supporting software/SDK, and development kits sold to OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and module manufacturers across consumer, automotive, and industrial markets.
Is PMD technologies a public or private company?
PMD technologies is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was PMD technologies founded?
PMD technologies was founded in 2002. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is PMD technologies based?
PMD technologies is headquartered in Siegen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does PMD technologies make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. 3D Image Sensor Licensing is the primary driver. The others are reference Design and Support Services and 3D Development Kits.
Who are PMD technologies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Infineon Technologies, Sony Semiconductor Solutions, STMicroelectronics, ams Osram, Orbbec and Intel RealSense. Broad incumbents are Texas Instruments and Microsoft (Azure Kinect / ToF depth). Emerging players are Lumentum and Occipital (Structure).
Does PMD technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for PMD technologies.
What industry is PMD technologies in?
PMD technologies's product category is 3D Image Sensors (Time-of-Flight). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAF, Imaging Sensors (CMOS/CCD/ToF/Depth), with a secondary code of HDAHAAAG, Sensors, MEMS & Imaging ICs. Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 3823.