Inspect Award 2026: Here Are the Winners
From a total of 40 nominated products, the readers of inspect, together with a panel of experts, selected the winners in four categories
The winners of the Inspect Award 2026 were honored at Vision 2026 in Stuttgart. The award is one of the most prestigious industry accolades for industrial image processing and optical metrology. From a total of 40 nominated products, readers of inspect, together with a panel of experts, selected the winners in four categories. The awards ceremony took place on October 6 at the Vision trade show.
The award-winning products reflect current technology trends in the industry. AI-powered image processing, 3D metrology, SWIR technologies, and solutions for high-precision automation and photonics applications were particularly prominent.
Automation & Control
1st Place: 6D-Nanocube Piezo System
Physik Instrumente won the Automation & Control category with its 6D-Nanocube piezo system. This compact positioning solution was developed for demanding applications in photonics and wafer probers. The system combines six degrees of freedom in a parallel kinematic structure and supports automated alignment processes through algorithmic search methods and machine learning.
2nd Place: QM-Fit Optical Measuring Device
Mitutoyo took second place with its QM-Fit optical measuring system. The vision measurement system automatically recognises workpieces and geometries and begins measurements immediately after the test piece is placed on the system. This solution is therefore particularly aimed at users who wish to carry out optical measurement tasks quickly and without the need for extensive programming.
3rd Place: IFS2407-HT/VAC High-Temperature Confocal Sensors
Third place went to Micro-Epsilon for its IFS2407-HT/VAC high-temperature confocal sensors. The sensors are designed for temperatures up to 200 °C as well as for vacuum and ultra-high vacuum applications. They enable precise displacement, distance, and thickness measurements even under demanding environmental conditions.
Artificial Intelligence
1st Place: 2D/3D Vision System for Robots
Zebra Technologies took home the award in the Artificial Intelligence category. The award-winning vision system combines 2D and 3D image processing with AI-powered robotics for logistics applications. The solution recognizes objects, determines their location, and supports autonomous pick-and-place processes even when dealing with varying items and packaging.
2nd Place: Dragonfly 3D World
Comet Technologies Canada took second place with its Dragonfly 3D World software. The platform supports the analysis and evaluation of complex 2D, 3D, and 4D image data and integrates deep learning capabilities for industrial inspection and analysis tasks. Users can utilize pre-trained neural networks as well as create and train their own AI models.
3rd Place: Alecs
Allied Vision tied for third place with its Alecs SWIR smart camera. The camera combines a SWIR sensor with an Nvidia Jetson Orin module and enables image data to be processed directly on the device. The open platform supports both traditional image processing algorithms and modern AI applications.
3rd Place: Denk Match AI
The jury also ranked Denkweit’s Denk Match AI software in third place. The solution takes an unconventional approach: Instead of relying on traditionally trained AI models, it compares recognized objects with reference databases and identifies them based on visual and geometric features. This eliminates a large portion of the training effort that was previously required.
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
1st Place: Silwir
In the small and medium-sized business category, Midwest Optical Systems (MidOpt) took first place with its Silwir protective window. The protective windows, made of silicon, were developed specifically for thermal imaging systems in the long-wave infrared range. They combine high transmission with high mechanical strength and are designed for use in demanding industrial environments.
2nd Place: C7 Series 3D Camera
AT Sensors took second place with its C7 Series 3D camera. Thanks to an NBASE-T interface with speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s, the system enables significantly higher data rates and faster 3D scans than conventional 1-GigE solutions. The camera is particularly well-suited for data-intensive inline measurement tasks.
3rd Place: Nion
IDS Imaging Development Systems came in third with its Nion 3D time-of-flight camera. The camera provides high-resolution depth information with a resolution of 1.2 megapixels and is suitable for applications in robotics, logistics, and automation.
Industry Trends
The winners of the 2026 Inspect Award highlight key developments in industrial image processing. AI-based systems are increasingly being put to productive use, high-resolution 3D sensor technology is opening up new automation applications, and SWIR technologies are finding their way into more and more industrial processes. At the same time, the awards demonstrate that both international technology conglomerates and specialized small- and medium-sized enterprises are providing important impetus for innovation in the industry.
