Zebra Technologies has announced its intent to acquire Photoneo, a Slovakia-based developer of 3D machine vision solutions. The acquisition is aimed at strengthening Zebra’s capabilities in the rapidly expanding 3D segment of the machine vision market, which supports industries such as automotive manufacturing, logistics, and robotics.
Photoneo specializes in intelligent sensors and advanced machine vision software. Its parallel structured light technology enables high-resolution and robust performance in complex 3D applications, including vision-guided robotics (VGR) and bin picking. These technologies are designed to integrate seamlessly with robots from major manufacturers, enhancing capabilities in automated systems and object inspection.
Zebra’s CEO, Bill Burns, highlighted the strategic alignment of the acquisition with Zebra’s existing strengths in autonomous data capture, inspection software, and AI-based image processing. The addition of Photoneo’s products and expertise is expected to expand Zebra’s portfolio, enabling customers to address advanced use cases such as creating digital twins and depalletizing.
This move follows Zebra’s acquisition of Matrox Imaging in 2022, which bolstered its position in machine vision hardware and software development. Zebra also formed an OEM relationship with Photoneo in 2024, leveraging Photoneo’s cameras to enhance Zebra’s 3D product offerings.
Jan Zizka, CEO of Photoneo Brightpick Group, expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating that Zebra’s global reach and robust software capabilities would accelerate Photoneo’s innovation and allow customers to derive greater business value from machine vision applications.
Zebra plans to fund the acquisition with available cash, and the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. Legal and financial advisory services for the transaction are being provided by A&O Shearman LLP for Zebra and by Dentons and Evercore Partners International for Photoneo.
