The Indian Machine Vision Association (IMVA) unites India's machine vision industry to foster growth and innovation. In this interview, Raghava Kashyapa, co-founder of IMVA, shares insights on IMVA's mission to support businesses, educate professionals, and navigate industry challenges with a vision for a tech-driven future.

inspect: Why was the Indian Machine Vision Association (IMVA) founded?

Raghava Kashyapa: The IMVA was created to unite India's machine vision industry. By bringing together companies, professionals, and researchers, we aim to share knowledge and address common challenges. With India's growing need for machine vision technologies, a unified association helps streamline efforts and promote industry growth.

inspect: What is the aim of the IMVA?

Kashyapa: Our main goal is to promote the use and development of machine vision technology in India. We support businesses, educate professionals, and connect industry players. We also advocate for the industry's interests in government policies and regulations.

inspect: Who are the founding members?

Kashyapa: The founding members include professionals and companies from various parts of the machine vision ecosystem, such as system integrators, technology providers, academics, and manufacturers. The idea was initiated by myself and Ron Müller (of Vision Markets), recognizing the need for such an association. An initial meeting in April 2024 in Bangalore with 12 attendees validated this idea, followed by a meeting at the Automate show in Mumbai, where we opened it up for 25 charter members. Since then, a subset of the charter members has been diligently working on creating the charter and organizational structure, which we hope to establish by Q1 of 2025. We expect to have a 100 additional members in the next 12-18 months.

inspect: What requirements must a company fulfill in order to become a member?

Kashyapa: Membership is open to both domestic and international organizations involved in the machine vision ecosystem, whether through technology, research, or application. We have different membership categories:

• Corporate Members: Companies involved in machine vision. A subset, known as charter members, initially came together to form the association. Corporate members are further distinguished by whether they are domestic or international (based on majority ownership).
• Academic Members: Educational institutions and research centers involved in machine vision
• Student Members: Individuals enrolled in educational institutions with an interest in machine vision.
• Honorary Members: Distinguished individuals recognized for their contributions to the industry.
   

inspect: What role does machine vision play in the Indian industry?

Kashyapa: Machine vision is becoming increasingly vital in India's industrial landscape. It enhances quality control, boosts productivity, and ensures safety across various sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and traffic management. Government initiatives like 'Make in India' and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have further accelerated the adoption of advanced technologies, including machine vision, by promoting domestic manufacturing and reducing import dependency.

In the manufacturing sector, particularly in advanced industries like automotive and electronics, machine vision systems are integral for precision and efficiency. The manufacturing sector in India is poised for significant growth, with its contribution to the Gross Value Added (GVA) expected to rise from the current 14 percent (459 billion USD) to 21 percent (1,557 billion USD) by 2032.

Beyond traditional manufacturing, India's vibrant startup ecosystem is increasingly leveraging machine vision technology. Sectors such as agritech, health tech, and construction tech are witnessing innovative applications of machine vision, driven by the democratization of software and accessible AI tools. For instance, agritech startups are utilizing AI-driven solutions to revolutionize farming practices across India.

The presence of global technology leaders in India underscores the anticipated growth in machine vision adoption. Companies like Nvidia have established a significant presence in the country, and leading players such as LMI Technologies have set up offices, reflecting confidence in the expanding market and the potential for widespread implementation of machine vision solutions.

inspect: How do you see the development of machine vision technology in India and globally?

Kashyapa: Machine vision technology is advancing rapidly in India, with significant progress in software development. Indian companies are creating innovative solutions tailored to various industries, contributing to the global machine vision ecosystem.

However, hardware manufacturing in India lags behind countries like China, which have more established infrastructure and production capabilities. This disparity presents challenges in the availability and cost of machine vision hardware components within India.

System integration is crucial for the effective deployment of machine vision systems. While the necessary technology exists and demand is growing, there is a shortage of skilled system integrators in India. Training existing integrators to adopt machine vision technologies is essential to bridge this gap. Educational initiatives and hands-on training programs can enhance the expertise required for successful implementation.

In summary, while India is making strides in machine vision software development, challenges remain in hardware manufacturing and system integration. Addressing these issues through targeted training and infrastructure development will be key to fully realizing the potential of machine vision technology in the country.

inspect: How important is the education and training of machine vision experts for you?

Kashyapa: Education and training are crucial for the advancement of machine vision technology. A significant challenge in India is the shortage of skilled professionals, particularly in system integration – a critical component that ensures the seamless incorporation of machine vision systems into existing industrial processes. Building expertise in system integration is essential to fully realize the benefits of machine vision technologies. By focusing on effective integration, businesses can address implementation challenges and enhance the overall performance of their automation processes.

inspect: What measures are you planning in this regard?

Kashyapa: We plan to organize workshops, certification programs, and online courses to train engineers and professionals. Collaborations with universities are also in the works to include machine vision in their curricula and create internship opportunities with member companies.

inspect: What challenges do you see in the Indian machine vision industry?

Kashyapa: The Indian machine vision industry faces several challenges that hinder its growth and widespread adoption:

• Limited Awareness: Many organizations are not fully aware of the benefits and potential applications of machine vision technology, leading to hesitation in adoption.
• Hardware Manufacturing Constraints: India's local production of machine vision hardware is limited, resulting in reliance on imports, which can increase costs and affect implementation timelines.
• Shortage of Skilled Integration Professionals: There is a significant gap in the availability of trained experts who can design, implement, and maintain machine vision systems, particularly in system integration roles.
• Perception of High Costs: Some companies view machine vision systems as expensive investments, considering them a luxury rather than a necessity, which hampers their willingness to invest.

Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts in education, local manufacturing capabilities, skill development, and changing perceptions about the value and return on investment that machine vision technology can offer.

inspect: What ways do you see to meet these challenges and how does the IMVA help?

Kashyapa: To address these challenges, the IMVA focuses on:

• Awareness: Hosting events, seminars, and trade shows to showcase the benefits of machine vision.
• Skill Development: Partnering with academic institutions and member companies to train professionals.
• Advocacy: Representing the industry's needs to policymakers to support growth and innovation.
• Networking: Creating a platform for companies to collaborate, share resources, and solve common challenges together.