The founding team behind Photoneo Brightpick Group is spinning off its innovative vision and robotics products. Supply: Photoneo
Zebra Technologies Corporation announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Photoneo Brightpick Group to acquire Photoneo s.r.o., a subsidiary of the group, effective immediately. Company unit specializing in providing visionary sensor technologies and artificial intelligence solutions for the robotics industry.
Here: “As a natural extension of our growth trajectory, we’re thrilled to welcome Zebra as a trusted partner to support Photoneo’s future initiatives,” said Jan Zizka, Photoneo Brightpick Group’s co-founder and CEO. “Through the strategic integration of Photoneo’s cutting-edge 3D computer vision capabilities with Zebra’s extensive global reach and comprehensive robotics and machine vision portfolio, Photoneo has emerged as a prime candidate for accelerated expansion.”
The Bratislava, Slovakia-headquartered Photoneo Brightpick Group boasts an impressive portfolio of over 8,000 expertise installations across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Brightpick’s unit provides AI-powered robots for warehouse automation, streamlining processes from order selection and consolidation to dispatch and inventory replenishment. Established in 2021 as a spin-off from the Photoneo Brightpick Group.
Brightpick to proceed international growth
Following its acquisition, Photoneo Brightpick Group will rebrand as Brightpick, operating independently to develop and implement AI-powered robots that streamline warehouse processes.
The corporation has announced its intention to redeploy a substantial portion of the funds generated by the sale to accelerate its rollout across America. and Europe. By the end of October 2024, Brightpick had raised $12 million, bringing its total funding to date to $47 million.
Zizka stated that this transaction provides essential capital to reinvest in Brightpick, thereby offering a return on investment to its shareholders. “As Brightpick’s annual recurring revenue soared 800% in 2024, and our 2025 production capacity almost fully committed, this investment enables us to scale up manufacturing and deployment to meet surging demand for our AI-powered robots and expand our services to a broader customer base.”
According to Brightpick, Autopicker enables companies to significantly reduce labor costs while deploying in just a matter of weeks, leading to swift success. Warehouse workers can now select and consolidate orders directly on the shelves, just as a person would use a shopping cart to gather items.
Powered by cutting-edge artificial intelligence, the robot can operate seamlessly in various warehouse environments and independently complete orders across diverse product categories, according to the company. BrightPick, a company based in Erlanger, Kentucky, has been recognized within the 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards for its Autopicker technology.
Zebra and Photoneo combine AI-driven computer vision expertise.
Each company, Zebra Applied Sciences and Photoneo, has jointly developed innovative hardware and software solutions for the robotics industry.
Photoneo boasts that its patented parallel structured light expertise enables swift, accurate, and high-resolution data delivery. The attachments are licensed to combine seamlessly with numerous primary robotic arms.
With a heritage spanning over 50 years, Zebra’s comprehensive product range is rooted in profound experience in advanced scanning, sophisticated tracking, and cutting-edge cellular technologies. Based in Lincolnshire, England, with a global network spanning more than 100 countries and exceeding 10,000 companions, this organization has established relationships with over 80% of the Fortune 500 companies among its client base.
In 2021, KUKA, a leading autonomous mobile robot (AMR) supplier, acquired Fetch Robotics, a renowned provider of autonomous cell robotic solutions, for $290 million. At MODEX 2024, attendees will discover innovative cell robots, cutting-edge equipment, and advanced scanners. In May, the corporation makes its choices for producers.
“The synergy between Photoneo’s innovative 3D machines and Zebra’s cutting-edge sensors, adaptable software, and AI-driven image processing will yield a comprehensive suite of solutions for customers worldwide,” said Joe White, Chief Product and Options Officer at Zebra. “Together, we empower companies across automotive manufacturing, logistics, and other critical sectors to unlock the full potential of machine vision in their day-to-day operations.”
The businesses did not disclose the terms of the transaction, citing the need for confidentiality until customary closing conditions are met. They expect to complete the transaction by the end of March 2025.
