ANSYS Eyes OPTIS for Acquisition

Simulation giant to add optical simulation to its software stable.

ANSYS has announced its plan to acquire optical simulation company OPTIS, thus adding another string to its rich and varied simulation bow.

OPTIS, you may recall from this previous article, recently announced a partnership with LeddarTech to develop LiDAR simulation technology for the self-driving car industry. Self-driving car research is huge right now, and the acquisition of OPTIS will put even more optical and LiDAR simulation into the hands of ANSYS customers. Currently, ANSYS has already developed simulation solutions for autonomous vehicles, but the acquisition will see the addition of visible, infrared, electromagnetics and acoustics to the ANSYS toolset.

Photorealistic VR and optical simulation comes to ANSYS.(Image courtesy of OPTIS.)

Photorealistic VR and optical simulation comes to ANSYS.(Image courtesy of OPTIS.)

As a nice bonus, ANSYS will also acquire the OPTIS VR and simulation platform, which will aid in the development of autonomous vehicle technology.

“For nearly half a century, ANSYS has been the leader in engineering simulation solutions,” said Eric Bantegnie, ANSYS vice president and general manager. “Like ANSYS, OPTIS is a technology leader, and together we’ll deliver pervasive engineering simulation to a new set of companies while extending simulation to next-generation use cases like cameras and LiDAR development for autonomous vehicles. On a personal level, I’ve had the opportunity to know many members of the OPTIS team, and they are fantastic people. I’m looking forward to bringing them into the ANSYS family.”

“Combining OPTIS’ physics-based solutions for optical simulation with ANSYS’ deep and broad portfolio will be a competitive advantage for our customers and the entire industry,” said Jacques Delacour, OPTIS president and CEO. “The entire OPTIS family is looking forward to working closely with ANSYS and its impressive customer community around the world.”

The transaction is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2018.