pyrealsense2
Python Wrapper for Realsense SDK 2.0.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. The package is actively maintained, has no Python dependencies, supports modern Python versions (3.9–3.14), carries no known vulnerabilities, and is the standard way to use RealSense cameras from Python. Install friction is moderate due to compiled wheels, but prebuilt binaries are available for common platforms. Suitable for production use in robotics, computer vision, and 3D imaging projects.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires a connected RealSense depth camera (D405, D435if, D455, D457, D555, or compatible model) and appropriate USB or PoE connectivity.
- Medium install friction due to compiled wheels for multiple Python versions and platforms (cp39–cp314, manylinux, Windows, aarch64), but no runtime dependencies.
- Active maintenance with a release 26 days ago and ongoing repository activity.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache License, Version 2.0 (permissive) — Apache License 2.0 (permissive) allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; attribution required but no copyleft obligations.
last release 2026-07-19 (26 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-14 · 8,953 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 209,168 downloads/mo, #9,518 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pyrealsense2
import pyrealsense2 as rs
pipeline = rs.pipeline()
pipeline.start()
frames = pipeline.wait_for_frames()
depth_frame = frames.get_depth_frame()
dist = depth_frame.get_distance(depth_frame.get_width() // 2, depth_frame.get_height() // 2)
pipeline.stop()- Whether all supported RealSense camera models are documented or discoverable from the package alone.
- Real-world latency and frame-rate performance characteristics for different camera models and streaming configurations.
- Compatibility with non-standard or third-party stereo cameras beyond the official RealSense product line.
What it is and what it does
pyrealsense2 is the official Python binding for Intel RealSense SDK 2.0, a cross-platform library for working with RealSense depth cameras. It exposes a high-level API for streaming depth and color frames, querying camera intrinsics and extrinsics, and extracting per-pixel depth values. The package wraps the native C++ SDK and is distributed as precompiled wheels for Python 3.9–3.14 on Windows, Linux (x86_64 and aarch64), and other platforms.
The library is designed for robotics, 3D scanning, skeletal tracking, facial authentication, and other computer vision tasks that require synchronized depth and color data. It has no Python runtime dependencies, relying instead on the underlying compiled RealSense library. The project is actively maintained, recently migrated to the RealSenseAI GitHub organization, and supports a range of stereo depth cameras with varying baseline lengths and depth ranges.
Use it for
- Robotics applications requiring real-time depth sensing for obstacle avoidance, grasping, or navigation.
- 3D scanning and reconstruction workflows that need synchronized RGB and depth frame capture.
- Skeletal tracking and human pose estimation using depth data from supported RealSense cameras.
- Close-range computer vision tasks (sub-millimeter accuracy) using short-range depth cameras like the D405.
- Long-range depth sensing (up to 10 m) for outdoor or industrial monitoring with cameras like the D455.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
The package is actively maintained, has no Python dependencies, supports modern Python versions (3.9–3.14), carries no known vulnerabilities, and is the standard way to use RealSense cameras from Python. Install friction is moderate due to compiled wheels, but prebuilt binaries are available for common platforms. Suitable for production use in robotics, computer vision, and 3D imaging projects.
Install
pyrealsense2 on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled wheels for multiple Python versions and platforms (cp39–cp314, manylinux, Windows, aarch64), but no runtime dependencies. Active maintenance with a release 26 days ago and ongoing repository activity.
Requires a connected RealSense depth camera (D405, D435if, D455, D457, D555, or compatible model) and appropriate USB or PoE connectivity.
License in practice
Apache License 2.0 (permissive) allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; attribution required but no copyleft obligations.
Quickstart
pip install pyrealsense2
import pyrealsense2 as rs
pipeline = rs.pipeline()
pipeline.start()
frames = pipeline.wait_for_frames()
depth_frame = frames.get_depth_frame()
dist = depth_frame.get_distance(depth_frame.get_width() // 2, depth_frame.get_height() // 2)
pipeline.stop()Verify before relying
- Whether all supported RealSense camera models are documented or discoverable from the package alone.
- Real-world latency and frame-rate performance characteristics for different camera models and streaming configurations.
- Compatibility with non-standard or third-party stereo cameras beyond the official RealSense product line.
Package facts
| License | Apache License, Version 2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 26 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 209,168 / month, #9,518 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 3 - AlphaEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: DevelopersIntended Audience :: EducationIntended Audience :: Science/ResearchLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXOperating System :: UnixProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Topic :: Multimedia :: VideoTopic :: Scientific/EngineeringTopic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Human Machine InterfacesTopic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Image RecognitionTopic :: Software DevelopmentTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Application Frameworks |
Evidence: pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp310-cp310-manylinux1_x86_64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp310-cp310-manylinux2014_aarch64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp311-cp311-manylinux1_x86_64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp312-cp312-manylinux1_x86_64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp312-cp312-manylinux2014_aarch64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp312-cp312-win_amd64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp313-cp313-manylinux1_x86_64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp313-cp313-win_amd64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp314-cp314-manylinux1_x86_64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp314-cp314-win_amd64.whl; pyrealsense2-2.58.3.10794-cp39-cp39-manylinux2014_aarch64.whl
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