Ouster, Inc., listed on NASDAQ under the ticker OUST, has garnered notable attention in the markets following its announcement of acquiring StereoLabs, an AI vision and perception company. This development marks a significant step in the evolution of Physical AI, where Ouster seeks to integrate various sensing and perception technologies into a unified platform.
The acquisition, completed on February 4, 2026, combines Ouster's digital lidar capabilities with StereoLabs' expertise in cameras, AI compute, sensor fusion, perception software, and AI models. This strategic integration aims to deliver a comprehensive sensing solution that addresses the needs of robotics, industrial automation, and smart infrastructure applications.
Founded in 2010, StereoLabs has established a robust market presence by shipping over 90,000 ZED cameras to more than 10,000 customers worldwide. Its active developer community emphasizes areas such as robotics, industrial uses, and smart infrastructure, which aligns closely with Ouster's expansion objectives. Importantly, StereoLabs' founding team will retain leadership roles while the company functions as a wholly owned subsidiary under Ouster's umbrella.
Ouster highlighted that the acquisition notably advances its software capabilities, which is a crucial component in delivering integrated lidar and vision solutions. This combination is anticipated to accelerate customer development cycles and attract new business opportunities in emerging fields like humanoid robotics, industrial automation, and visual inspection.
Financially, StereoLabs presents a compelling profile as a high-growth and EBITDA-positive operation, with approximately $16 million in unaudited revenue for 2025 as reported by Ouster. The acquisition is viewed as strengthening Ouster’s financial footing and reinforcing its trajectory toward sustained profitability.
The transaction was structured with a blend of about $35 million in cash along with 1.8 million shares issued by Ouster. Of these shares, 700,000 are subject to a four-year release schedule, indicating a phased approach to equity distribution. The deal is being treated as a business combination in accounting terms, with Ouster set to consolidate StereoLabs’ financial results starting from its first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
Following the announcement, Ouster's stock reflected positive market sentiment, trading up by approximately 1.49% to reach $19.71 per share. This price movement underscores investor interest in the company’s expanded technological suite and growth prospects.
By bringing together complementary sensing and perception capabilities, Ouster aims to create what it terms the first unified platform in Physical AI, positioning itself at the forefront of integrated hardware and software solutions. This move also broadens its total addressable market, particularly in sectors that rely heavily on robotics and intelligent infrastructure.
Despite the encouraging outlook, the acquisition and integration pose intrinsic challenges, such as realizing synergistic value from merging software and hardware offerings and effectively managing subsidiaries within a larger organizational structure.
Ouster’s management continues to steer the company in leveraging these newly combined assets to drive competitive differentiation, hoping to capitalize on evolving market demands and technological trends in automation and AI-driven perception.