Computar Optics
Computar is a Japanese industrial lens manufacturer brand operated by CBC Co., Ltd., producing precision optics for machine vision, security and surveillance, and intelligent traffic systems. It serves OEMs, system integrators, and research customers globally through CBC Group's 40+ distribution locations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Computar Optics does
Computar is a Japanese industrial lens manufacturer and brand operated by privately held parent CBC Co., Ltd., headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Established around 1980 with over 40 years of operating history, Computar designs and manufactures precision optics for machine vision, security and surveillance, intelligent traffic systems (ITS), and adjacent applications such as drones, sports technology, and research. The brand is a key optics line within the larger CBC Group, which operates 40+ sales and distribution locations globally through subsidiaries including CBC Europe GmbH, CBC (Beijing) Trading, and T-CBC (Taiwan).
The product portfolio is organized into three main families — Machine Vision (LensConnect electric lenses, fixed-focal MPT/MPY/MPZ/MPX/MPW2/3/MP2 series, telecentric TEC-V/M, macro zoom, and ViSWIR SWIR-corrected lenses), Security (i-CS, varifocal, HD zoom, fisheye, direct-mount, and LWIR thermal lenses), and ITS (MPIR and MPYIR series for traffic monitoring and ANPR). Core proprietary technologies include ViSWIR Hyper APO chromatic aberration correction across 400-1700nm wavelengths, LensConnect USB-controlled electric lens adjustment, RUGGEDIZED vibration/shock-resistant designs, floating optical design for large-format sensors up to 1.4-inch and 45MP, and super wideband AR coatings. The product range is validated by the 2021 Inspect Award (Vision 2021, Germany) and 2021 Vision Systems Design Innovators Awards.
Computar generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of industrial and security lenses to OEMs, system integrators, and machine vision customers, supplemented by custom/OEM design services and, more recently, software/SDK licensing around the LensConnect platform. Go-to-market relies on CBC Group's global direct enterprise sales force, authorized regional distributors, and heavy participation in major industry exhibitions (VISION, AUTOMATE, Image Sensing Show, Vision China, Intertraffic, Milipol Paris). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through direct quotation; the brand positions itself on Japanese engineering precision, large-format/high-resolution capability, and SWIR specialization rather than price competition.
Computar Optics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Computar Optics
- Legal name
- CBC Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://computar-global.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Computar is a Japanese industrial lens manufacturer brand operated by CBC Co., Ltd., producing precision optics for machine vision, security and surveillance, and intelligent traffic systems. It serves OEMs, system integrators, and research customers globally through CBC Group's 40+ distribution locations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Computar Optics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Optical Lenses
- SIC
- Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)
Keywords
Where Computar Optics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Computar Optics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Industrial Lens Sales: Sale of machine vision, security, and ITS optical lenses to industrial customers, system integrators, and OEMs. Products include fixed focal, varifocal, telecentric, macro, and specialized SWIR lenses.
- Software/Technology Solutions: Lens control software, development tools, and integration support for electric LensConnect series. Includes sample programs and register maps for custom software integration.
- Custom/OEM Solutions: Custom lens design and manufacturing services for specific OEM requirements, including planning, product design, industrial design, and manufacturing support.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Computar Optics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Computar manufactures and sells precision optical lenses for industrial machine vision, security/surveillance, and intelligent traffic systems (ITS). Operated as a brand of CBC Co., Ltd., the company designs and produces fixed-focal and varifocal lenses, specialty lenses (ViSWIR Hyper APO), electric-control lens systems (LensConnect), and ruggedized lens lines for factory automation, imaging, and traffic-monitoring applications.
Product overview
Computar is a Japanese lens manufacturer specializing in industrial optics and surveillance cameras with over 40 years of experience. The company operates under CBC Group and offers three main product categories: Machine Vision Lenses (including LensConnect electric lens series, high-resolution MPT/MPY/MPZ/MPX series, telecentric lenses, macro zoom, and ViSWIR hyperspectral lenses), Security Lenses (i-CS lenses, varifocal lenses, HD zoom, fisheye, direct-mount, and LWIR thermal lenses), and ITS (Intelligent Traffic System) lenses. The LensConnect sub-brand provides USB-controlled electric lenses with remote focus/iris/zoom capability. Products serve industries including electronics, automotive, printing, food/pharmaceutical, retail, banking, government security, railways, road monitoring, drones/robotics, sports technology, and agrotech/research. The company maintains 40 global locations as part of the CBC Group network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LensConnect: Electric lens concept series enabling USB remote control of focus, iris, and zoom functionality for industrial machine vision applications.
Products and services
- Machine Vision / Factory Automation Lenses
- Security / Surveillance Lenses
- ITS (Intelligent Traffic Systems) Lenses
- ViSWIR Hyper APO Lens Series
- LensConnect Electric Lens System
- RUGGEDIZED Lens Series
Quantifiable outcome
- Top-class market position in 4K security lens technology
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Computar Optics
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Computar Optics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
Computar Optics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- RUTILEAminorJoint exhibition partnership at AI/Artificial Intelligence EXPO 2022 and Imaging Sensing Show 2022. Collaboration combining Computar's industrial lenses with RUTILEA's ImagePro image processing software for AI-based recognition and processing demonstrations.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Computar Optics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Thorlabs: Major photonics and optics supplier offering SWIR, machine vision, telecentric, and custom OEM lens solutions. Overlaps with Computar in industrial/research imaging and custom optical assemblies.
- Edmund Optics: Global supplier of optical components including industrial machine vision lenses, telecentric optics, and SWIR lenses. Directly competes with Computar across machine vision, SWIR, and OEM custom optical design.
- Schneider Optics: Manufacturer of industrial machine vision lenses, including high-resolution and SWIR lines, plus photographic filters. Closely comparable product range to Computar across factory automation and inspection.
- Kowa Optimun (Kowa Industrial): Japanese manufacturer of industrial machine vision lenses including SWIR, 4K, and large-format sensor compatibility. Same national origin and similar product positioning as Computar.
Emerging players
- Resolve Optics: UK-based specialist in custom and small-batch industrial optics including SWIR and UV-visible-NIR lenses. Niche competitor in the custom OEM lens space where Computar also operates.
Others
- Stemmer Imaging: European machine vision distributor and system integrator that resells industrial lenses including third-party brands. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct lens competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Canon Industrial Optics: Global optics incumbent with industrial, broadcast, and surveillance lens lines. Competes with Computar in security and machine vision but serves a much broader imaging market.
- Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions: Premium German optics manufacturer with industrial inspection and machine vision lens solutions. Competes in high-end factory automation but operates as a much broader optics conglomerate.
- Nikon (Industrial Optics / Nikon Lenswear): Major Japanese optical manufacturer with industrial lens offerings used in factory automation, inspection, and surveillance. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities but larger portfolio.
- Fujifilm (Fujinon Industrial): Japanese optical manufacturer offering industrial machine vision, broadcast, and surveillance lenses. Overlaps with Computar's ITS, security, and factory automation segments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Computar Optics social profiles
Digital presenceComputar Optics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Computar Optics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Computar Optics subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Computar Optics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Computar Optics 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 Computar Optics
What does Computar Optics do?
Computar manufactures and sells precision optical lenses for industrial machine vision, security/surveillance, and intelligent traffic systems (ITS). Operated as a brand of CBC Co., Ltd., the company designs and produces fixed-focal and varifocal lenses, specialty lenses (ViSWIR Hyper APO), electric-control lens systems (LensConnect), and ruggedized lens lines for factory automation, imaging, and traffic-monitoring applications.
Is Computar Optics a public or private company?
Computar Optics is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Computar Optics founded?
Computar Optics was founded in 1980. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Computar Optics based?
Computar Optics is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Computar Optics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Industrial Lens Sales are the primary driver. The others are software/Technology Solutions and custom/OEM Solutions.
Who are Computar Optics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Thorlabs, Edmund Optics, Schneider Optics and Kowa Optimun (Kowa Industrial). Resolve Optics is listed as an emerging player. Stemmer Imaging is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Canon Industrial Optics, Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions, Nikon (Industrial Optics / Nikon Lenswear) and Fujifilm (Fujinon Industrial).
Does Computar Optics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Computar Optics.
What industry is Computar Optics in?
Computar Optics's product category is Industrial Optical Lenses. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAB, Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination), with a secondary code of HDAHAAAH, Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs). Its SIC code is 3861.