Lidar-maker Ouster buys vision company StereoLabs as sensor consolidation continues

Lidar manufacturer Ouster has acquired StereoLabs, a vision-based perception systems company, for $35 million plus 1.8 million shares, marking another step in the ongoing consolidation of perception sensor suppliers. This follows similar moves in the industry, such as MicroVision’s recent purchase of Luminar’s lidar assets and Ouster’s prior acquisitions, including a merger with Velodyne and the purchase of Sense Photonics. These consolidations come amid growing investment in “physical AI” technologies, which span robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles, and warehouse automation, with startups also exploring new sensor modalities. Ouster CEO Angus Pacala emphasized that while lidar remains central to safety-critical systems, integrating cameras is a natural progression to enhance sensing capabilities. He praised StereoLabs for its hardware quality and advanced use of AI models and edge computing, particularly their foundational AI model for depth perception from stereo cameras. Ouster plans to keep StereoLabs as a wholly-owned subsidiary, aiming to build a unified sensing and perception platform to