Milestones

1996	Basic PMD patents are filed S-TEC Sensor GmbH founded to develop PMD-based solutions and services
1997	Proof of the PMD concept Launch of extensive development projects with major automotive OEMs
1998	First 1D PMD prototype
1999	First 2D PMD prototype
2000	First 3D PMD prototype
2001	Government-funded automotive initiative "3D-SIAM" is launched (total value six million euros)
2002	PMDTechnologies GmbH is founded Audi Electronics GmbH becomes a shareholder Acquisition of S-TEC GmbH PMD is nominated for the German Future Award (see www.deutscherzukunftspreis.de)
2003	Launch of PhotonICs® 1k-S (64x16 pixels), the first all-solid-state 3D ToF sensor with unique suppression of background light feature – a milestone for outdoor applications in tough environments, e.g. for use in automotive safety Launch of PMD[vision]® 1k-S, 3D outdoor camera based on PhotonICs® 1k-S
2004	Launch of PhotonICs® 19k (160x120 pixels), the first high-resolution 3D ToF sensor Launch of PhotonICs® 3k-S (64x48 pixels) for manufacturing industries License agreement with ifm electronics Start of development of products for deployment in manufacturing and automation
2005	ifm electronics gmbh becomes a shareholder Launch of efector pmd Hermes Award for efector pmd
2006	Launch of the third generation sensor for the automotive applications: PhotonICs® 1k-S3 (64x16 pixels) Launch of the second generation sensor for manufacturing industries: PhotonICs® 3k-S2 (64x48 pixels) Merger of PMDTec GmbH and S-TEC GmbH Government-funded robotics Lynkeus project launched (total value 12 million euros)
2007	Launch of PMD[vision]® O3 (64x48 pixels)
2008	Launch of the PhotonICs® 41k-S (204x204 pixels), the highest resolution all-solid-state 3D ToF sensor in the world More than 100,000 PMD sensors sold to date Launch of efector pmd 3d Innovation Award for efector pmd 3d
2009	Launch of PMD[vision]® CamCube (with 204x204 pixels – a world record for all-solid-state 3D ToF technology) Launch of PMD[vision]®S3 (64x48 pixels) Start of Hightech.NRW project "LaotSe" – 2D/3D sensor fusion project funded by North-Rhine Westphalia (total value four million euros)