Intel has agreed a deal to buy Dublin tech company Movidius, which has been developing low-power, high-performance platforms for accelerating computer vision applications

Josh Walden. Intel’s senior VP for new technology, said the acquisition “brings algorithms tuned for deep learning, depth processing, navigation and mapping, and natural interactions, as well as broad expertise in embedded computer vision and machine intelligence.”

Intel’s RealSense strategy is to build leadership in computer vision and perceptual computing. “Simply put, computer vision enables machines to visually process and understand their surroundings,” explains Walden. Cameras serve as the ‘eyes’ of the device, the central processing unit is the ‘brain’, and a vision processor is the ‘visual cortex’.

“Upon integration, computer vision enables navigation and mapping, collision avoidance, tracking, object recognition, inspection analytics and more – capabilities that are extremely compelling in emerging markets. Movidius’ technology optimizes, enhances and brings RealSense capabilities to fruition,” said Walden.

In Association with

Movidius founders Sean Mitchell and David Moloney (pictured) formerly worked with Parthus Technology, a semiconductor company Brian Long founded in 1993.. Shortly after the Nasdaq IPO of Parthus, Mitchell and Moloney launched Movidius, targeting the 3DTV marked with a solution based on a new highly parallel processor architecture.

In 2013, Atlantic Bridge led the $16m A Round investment in Movidius, impressed by the company’s Vision Processing Unit technology. CEO Remi El-Ouazzane joined the company at that stage from Texas Instruments.

In February 2015, the Irish taxpayer, through the China-Ireland Growth Technology Fund, invested €6.7m in Movidius in a funding round that amounted to €28m. About 20 other existing shareholders, who had previously invested €33m in the company, doubled down with a further €16m.

Earlier this year, Chinese consumer drone maker DJI turned to Movidius to provide the vision-aided flight system for its Phantom 4 aircraft, with the chips created at Movidius design offices in Dublin.

The Movidius vision processor debuted in DJI’s flagship Phantom 4, giving it the ability to sense and avoid obstacles in real time and hover in a fixed position without the need for a GPS signal.

The agreement between the California-based tech company and the Chinese drone maker was an industry first in making advanced visual guidance systems a standard feature for consumer drones.