---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000851205-26-000071"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CGNX"
cik: "0000851205"
company_name: "COGNEX CORP"
filed_at: "2026-09-22T11:01:30+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-09-22T11:05:08.382735+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Cognex acquires RealSense for $500M cash to enter robotic perception

## Summary
- All-cash $500M deal, funded from existing cash/investments; expected to close Q4 2026.
- RealSense 2026 revenue projected at $80-90M, up >50% YoY; robotic perception market ~$600M today, ~$1.6B by 2030.
- Retention: ~$50M in RSUs (vesting 20%/30%/50% over 3 yrs) and up to $69M cash payments (incl. $25M performance-based); press release cites $56.5M target.
- RealSense, spun out of Intel in 2025, will divest Facial Authentication line before close.
- Cognex expects strong accretion to growth and Adjusted EBITDA margins; deal advised by Evercore.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000851205-26-000071
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CGNX
- cik: 0000851205
- company_name: COGNEX CORP
- filed_at: 2026-09-22T11:01:30+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 7.01, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/851205/000085120526000071/0000851205-26-000071-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/851205/000085120526000071/cgnx-20260922.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000851205-26-000071
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000851205-26-000071.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000851205-26-000071.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.