US chipmaker Intel will begin ‘winding down’ its lineup of sensors and cameras for computer vision, digital signage, and robotics, a company spokesperson told CRN on Friday.
The spokesperson said Intel’s RealSense computer vision department would gradually cease operations as the firm shifted its focus to core business products.
RealSense’s product lineups featured LiDAR, stereoscopic, and coded light cameras to provide high-res imaging solutions for numerous form factors, which ewre powered with RealSense’s Vision processers and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), CRN reported.
The division’s technologies also targeted augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (AR/VR/MR) products.
In an emailed statement, the spokesperson explained:
“We are winding down our RealSense business and transitioning our computer vision talent, technology and products to focus on advancing innovative technologies that better support our core businesses and IDM 2.0 strategy”
The Santa Clara-based semiconductor firm informed customers it would honour ongoing commitments and work with employees and customers to “ensure a smooth transition”, the spokesperson added.
The news comes as Intel’s RealSense LiDAR, tracking, and facial authentication products entered their end-of-life cycle despite continued support for several modules and integrated product lines, they said.
The news comes just weeks after Sagi Ben Moshe, RealSense Head and General Manager to Emerging Growth and Incubation Group at Intel, announced on LinkedIn he was leaving the tech giant after a 10-years-long career.
Kent Tibbils, Vice President of Marketing at ASI, a Fremont, California-based tech firm told CRN he was not surprised of the news as roughly 10 customers had purchased the produces in low volumes.
He explained:
“There were only a few that were buying multiple units, like 10 to 40 at a time. It was definitely very nichey and very specialized for the general channel. It wasn’t a huge product”
The developments come amid the ongoing US-China trade war, which has seen the chipmaker redirect resources to semiconductor output to meet an ongoing global surge in demand for PCs and servers.
