Intel is pushing deeper into the AI robotics boom by spinning off its RealSense unit with fresh funding. Here’s why this move could shake up the fast-growing automation industry.
Intel has announced the spinout of its AI-driven robotics and biometrics arm, RealSense, along with a fresh $50 million Series A funding round.
The announcement, made Friday, signals Intel’s renewed focus on scaling innovation while tackling fierce competition in the AI chip race. The newly independent RealSense will be helmed by Nadav Orbach—Intel’s current vice president for incubation and disruptive tech—who sees this moment as perfect timing for what he calls the “physical AI” revolution.
Key Takeaway:
- Intel spins out RealSense to tap rising demand for AI robotics
- $50M Series A backed by MediaTek and Intel Capital
- RealSense to expand product lines and safety tools for global robotics industry
Orbach told CNBC the company plans to channel its new funds into creating cutting-edge robotics products that are easier to use and enhance safety—a key concern for autonomous robots navigating real-world environments.
RealSense, originally Intel Perceptual Computing, dates back over a decade when Intel first bet on 3D vision sensors. Its first product hit the market in 2015, and since then, its technology has powered automation for manufacturers like Eyesynth and Unitree Robotics. The company now employs around 130 people spread across the U.S., Israel, and China.
The decision comes as global giants like Tesla, Amazon, and Nvidia pour billions into robotics. Morgan Stanley predicts the humanoid robotics market alone could skyrocket to $5 trillion by 2050. Nvidia’s CEO recently called robotics the biggest market opportunity for the chipmaker after AI, while Salesforce’s Marc Benioff says AI is already handling up to half of the software giant’s tasks.
For Intel, the RealSense spinout is part of a larger cost-cutting and streamlining effort after a tough year for its core business. Last year, Intel slashed jobs, parted ways with CEO Pat Gelsinger, and more recently offloaded a majority stake in its Altera chip subsidiary.
Despite this, the chip giant isn’t stepping away entirely—Intel will keep a minority stake in RealSense, ensuring a seat at the table as the robotics sector takes off. Orbach says the goal now is to ride the wave of demand and get safer, smarter robots into more factories, warehouses, and homes worldwide.
As automation becomes the next big frontier for artificial intelligence, RealSense’s fresh start—fueled by $50 million in new backing—could help shape how robots see, sense, and interact with the world around them.