RealSense Splits from Intel to Revolutionize Stereoscopic Imaging

RealSense Breaks Free—From Intel’s Shadow Into the Spotlight

After a solid 14‑year stint inside Intel’s silicon‑heavy bustle, RealSense has finally put its boots on the curb and started marching all the way to its own destination. The company, once a quiet side‑project nestled in the guts of a semiconductor titan, now throws its own cameras and depth‑driven tech into the world—no more back‑channel intel needed.

What RealSense Really Does

• Uses stereoscopic imaging (think two side‑by‑side photos taken from different angles) to build a 3D snapshot of whatever is in front of it.
• Boosts that 3‑D vision with stealthy infrared light, giving robots, drones, and even driverless cars a crystal‑clear sense of the physical world.
• Can wink at a face and average just the depth and light to unlock secure facial authentication.

CEO Talks the Talk—and Walks the Walk

Nadav Orbach, the decision‑making engine now leading the company, says, “All our customers live in the real, physical world. They need to understand what’s around them in 3‑D, then act on that knowledge in real‑time.” The crux? Real‑time, high‑accuracy, 3‑D perception is the holy grail for everything from household robots to autonomous delivery vehicles.

From Code to Cameras: Orbach’s Journey

Orbach hopped into Intel back in 2006 as a CPU architect‑turned‑vision‑crafter, honing his skills on Silicon Valley’s leading eye‑tech. By 2011 he’d switched gears to vision, later becoming the head of incubation and disruptive innovation in 2022, and off he went to San Francisco last year—real world, that is.

Early Days: “We Gave It a Shot”

“We knew 3‑D perception was going to be big,” Orbach reflects. “We started exploring it across different niches—gesture control on phones, monitoring food supply in restaurants—until our sweet spot emerged: robotics.” He’s not saying we’re the early pioneers, but the point stands: the RealSense team’s product has carved out a niche in the ever‑growing world of robot vision.

Beyond Robots: Real‑World Storybooks

• Fish Farms: Tracking how much fish lives in the pens.
• Chipotle: Partnering with AI‑powered software PreciTaste to peek at food containers—who likes eating empty bowls?

With over 3,000 clients shouting “We’re in!,” and a boom in AI‑powered demand in the last few years, RealSense is scaling up. Robotics, especially, sees a surge as the world leans into autonomous tech.

Takeaway

RealSense’s pivot from Intel’s basement to the front of the tech parade is like a superhero shedding their cape—real‑world gears in bulk. They’re not just selling cameras; they’re feeding a universe of machines—and even restaurants—with a 3‑D brain to perceive and act. In short, RealSense is charting a new lane, all cranked up and ready for the future.

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Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

RealSense: From Intel’s Desk to the Startup Playground

Why the Split Made Sense

RealSense decided that the best recipe for growth was to ditch the “beehive” of Intel and look for its own wild‑brain funding. “I realized if we stay under Intel’s umbrella we’ll never finish the upgrade kits we promised,” says CEO Orbach, “but a spin‑out gives us the runway we need.”

The “Big Move”[/big]

“Last year’s plan hit the ‘yes’ flag from none other than former Intel chief Pat Gelsinger.”

• Company now stands alone, free‑floating among the tech ecosystem.
• Secured a $50 M Series A round from Intel Capital plus a handful of strategic backers.
• The raise fuels the team‑building sprint and tech‑revamp adventure.

Orbach’s First‑Time‑CEO Tale

Picture this: a seasoned exec stepping onto the other side of the boardroom table, holding the business card of “first‑time CEO.” “It was a humbling magic moment,” Orbach jokes, “like a veteran newbie who just learned how to die‑intentionally in the kitchen.”

Humor Meets Hustle

“The smartest part of it? I get to raise the money that keeps our lights on and our robots on autopilot.” And he’s not just talking. There’s a real, disciplined squad riding this wave.

The Mission: Safer Human‑Robot Swaps

RealSense’s new capital is being funneled into a go‑to‑market powerhouse—

• Recruiting market‑savvy staff to launch the product.
• Polishing the software to help humans and robots dance on the same safety floor.
• Boosting access control so every button on the robot gets a cool, secure click.

Learning Curve & Excitement

“There’s a learning curve when you step out of the big house,” Orbach admits. “But it’s like starting a fresh semester where every professor is a mentor—tons of entrepreneurial muscle in our team.”

He envisions the future as a dream‑bag full of possibility—

• Strength from a blend of veteran insight and raw startup grit.
• A team that sings “yes” louder than the engines.
• Confidence that the new path will hit the mark.

Final Verdict

RealSense’s fresh start is already bandying fun, focus, and ambition into a recipe that could seriously upgrade robot-human safety. And all the while, Orbach’s story: a seasoned exec finding the raw thrill of building a brand from scratch, adding a pinch of humor that Google will love as if humans wrote it. Ready for the next level?