Cognex acquires 3D vision and industrial identification companies

Cognex is making moves again, as the company has announced that it will acquire Chiaro Technologies, a company that makes a 3D machine vision sensor called Cloudburst, as well as Webscan, a company that specializes in barcode verification solutions.

Chiaro Technologies—a gold honoree in the 2016 Innovators Awards—is based in Boulder, CO, USA and develops the Cloudburst 3D depth camera (pictured), which is based on Symbolic Light, a technology for single-shot structured light 3D capture. The camera provides motion capable, calibrated 3D data with a simple machine vision interface and camera-like API. Cognex acquired Chiaro Technologies on November 30, 2016.

Also based in Colorado (Longmont) is Webscan, which Cognex acquired on December 9, 2016. Webscan’s solution enables manufacturers to ensure that barcodes marked on packages, parts, and components are applied accurately before items are shipped, and verifies that codes comply with industry standards.

“These acquisitions add important capabilities in two high-growth areas of Cognex’s business,” said Robert J. Willett, President and CEO of Cognex. “The Cloudburst sensor enables Cognex to address a wider range of applications and price points in the fast-growing 3D vision market. And the combination of Webscan’s verification software with our rugged and flexible DataMan® product line will enable Cognex to provide the industry’s broadest range of high-performance and easy-to-use verification solutions.”

The acquisition of Chiaro Technologies marks the third 3D vision company that Cognex acquired in 2016. Also acquired last year were EnShape and AQSense.Based in Jena, Germany, EnShape develops 3D vision sensors and software, while the Girona, Spain-based AQSense develops and sells a library of field-tested 3D vision tools and a configuration software package that helps customers set up their 3D vision applications.

View more information on Cognex.
View more information onChiaro Technologies.
View more information onWebscan.

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