Shifting to physical AI, Cognex to acquire Intel spinoff RealSense in $500 million deal

Cognex Corporation, a U.S. machine vision company, is set to acquire RealSense, an Israeli AI vision technology developer for robots, in a $500 million deal. The transaction, expected to close in Q4 2026 pending regulatory approval, will be financed from Cognex's cash reserves and includes a $50 million stock option plan. RealSense, an Intel spinoff from 2025, employs 180 people, with 135 in Haifa, and is a key supplier of perception systems for autonomous robots. RealSense CEO Nadav Orbach stated, "Joining Cognex puts that mission on an entirely new scale, giving us access to a global industrial customer base." This acquisition marks Cognex's first in Israel and expands its presence in robotic perception and the emerging Physical AI market, which is projected to reach $1.6 billion by 2030.