Why Southwest Airlines’ 53 New Redeye Flights All Depend On Killing Open Seating
April 30, 2026
Hirschbach Motor Lines will buy 500 autonomous truck systems
April 30, 2026
DC Velocity
Automation provider Zebra Technologies Corp. is continuing to reshape itself for the artificial intelligence (AI) age, announcing today it has invested in Apera AI, a provider of 4D Vision for industrial robots.
According to Zebra, Vancouver, British Columbia-based Apera AI technology equips robots with “real-time visual intelligence,” enabling them to perform challenging tasks – like picking clear, shiny, or overlapping parts – using adaptive vision trained in virtual simulation environments. Apera AI uses light-resilient stereo vision and AI models to function reliably in dynamic, real-world factory conditions, adapting to shifting bins, changing lighting conditions, worn grippers, and complex part geometry.
Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Zebra made the investment of an unspecified amount through its corporate venture capital arm, Zebra Ventures.
Backed by the new funding, Apera AI will enhance its ability to support customers who require fast, scalable deployments, particularly in complex or variable manufacturing environments where Physical AI delivers adaptability. Manufacturers can deploy Apera-powered systems with minimal engineering time, accelerating ROI and reducing automation friction, the firm said.
“Our investment in Apera AI is a strategic step toward a more intelligent, responsive automation future,” Tony Palcheck, Vice President, Zebra Ventures, said in a release.. “We are committed to helping organizations reach new levels of performance through automated workflows, and Apera AI offers a powerful new approach which we are excited to support through our venture investment.”
The move follows Zebra’s decision last week to sell its Robotics Automation business unit, which includes the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) maker Fetch Robotics. That adjustment was intended to “further sharpen [Zebra’s] strategic focus on accelerating workflows across the supply chain and prioritizing investments in high-growth areas such as RFID, machine vision, and AI for the frontline.”