PMD Technologies, established in 2002 by Rudolf Schwarte and Audi Electronics Venture GmbH as a spin-off from the Center for Sensor Systems (ZESS) at the University of Siegen, Germany, has a rich history rooted in over a decade of dedicated scientific research on 3D Time-of-Flight (ToF) imaging. The company’s origins trace back to the pioneering efforts of ZESS’s earlier spin-off, S-Tec Sensor GmbH, founded in 1996. S-Tec Sensor GmbH embarked on the development of PMD products in 1997 and subsequently became part of the PMD Technologies family following its acquisition in 2002.

The foundation of PMD Technologies can be attributed to the visionary work of Prof. Rudolf Schwarte, who began filing basic patents for Time-of-Flight (TOF) chips featuring innovative Photonic Mixer Elements (PME) starting in 1996. This groundbreaking technology marked a significant advancement in 3D imaging. By the year 2000, PMD Technologies had made notable strides, introducing a 3D Depth Camera equipped with Time-of-Flight PMD sensors.

With a legacy firmly rooted in scientific excellence and a commitment to innovation, PMD Technologies continues to be a leading force in the evolution of 3D ToF imaging technology.