PMD technologies

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.

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

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

• 3D depth sensing
• Time-of-Flight sensors
• Image sensor chips
• 3D camera modules
• Photonic mixer devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Siegen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 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 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, flagship, core and minor.

• NamugastrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2026Partnership 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.
• meerecompanystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025MOU 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.
• RoborockflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 5 September 2024Roborock 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)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 January 2024OMS 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.
• OfilmcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Ofilm manufactures hybrid ToF camera modules for Roborock robots. One of the module manufacturing partners using pmd/Infineon sensors and reference designs.
• Magic LeapflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 30 May 2022Magic 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.
• SharpflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 19 February 2020Sharp AQUOS R5G 5G smartphone launched spring 2020 uses REAL3 3D image sensor for real-time video bokeh effect, photography enhancement, and AR applications.
• QualcommstrategicTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Jointly developed reference designs for face-authentication use cases on Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform, enabling secure authentication in Android smartphones.
• LG ElectronicsflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 24 February 2019LG 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.
• BytonstrategicOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 24 February 2019Byton 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 RoboticsminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 31 May 2018Kuri home robot used pmd ToF depth sensing for autonomous navigation and environment understanding. First production shipped December 2017.
• ASUSflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 May 2017Asus ZenFone AR used pmd ToF technology for AR/VR smartphone applications, second Tango phone launched 2017.
• LenovoflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 9 June 2016World's first Project Tango smartphone (Lenovo Phab Pro) with pmd 3D sensor launched June 2016, enabling AR experiences.
• GooglestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2015Google 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 AGcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2013Strategic 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 gmbhcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005ifm 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=pmd+technologies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pmdtechnologies-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/pmd_3d
• Xx.com/pmdtec

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 PMD technologies