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by Alan Alper, MA Editorial Staff Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 1:42:00 PM   | Abstract: | Where is machine vision technology heading? Nello Zuech, founder and principal at market research Vision Systems International has more than a few thoughts on the subject. |
Tough times across the manufacturing sector slowed the adoption of machine vision systems earlier in the decade. Fortunately, innovation has continued, driven primarily by ever-continuing software enhancements, cyclical increases in microprocessor power and a reinvigorated focus on application-specific products. As a result, more and more machine vision vendors are relying on commodity hardware and software, which is both driving down overhead as well as end-user costs. The worldwide machine vision market reached $8.1 billion in 2004 (including the value added by OEMs and system integrators), according to the Automated Imaging Association (AIA). The North American segment, which was estimated at $1.9 billion (including the value add component), rebounded nicely last year, aided by a strengthening economy, the AIA contends. We recently caught up (online) with Nello Zuech, founder and principal at Vision Systems International, a market research and consulting firm in Yardley, PA, to discuss technology trends in the machine vision space. Zuech has followed machine vision, electro-optics and factory automation for over 30 years. He has been involved in the application of machine vision and related manufacturing technologies in virtually all industry sectors and phases of the production process, and has held executive positions with ORS, the EMR Group of Schlumberger, CBS Laboratories, the National Science Foundation and Raytheon Corp. [Click to continue] |