

The German photonics industry saw significant growth in the first half of 2026. Semiconductors, defense, aviation, and quantum technologies are the main drivers of this growth.

Rainer Brehm, who previously served as COO of the automation business and CTO of Digital Industries, was appointed president of the new unit.

IMTS 2026 drew more than 91,000 visitors. AI, robotics, and automation were the hallmarks of the trade show and reflect the transformation of U.S. manufacturing.

According to the VDMA Machine Vision department, sales are expected to increase by around 3%, following a decline of 2% in 2025.

With this acquisition, Cognex is expanding its portfolio to include 3D depth sensing technology for robotics and physical AI. The market is expected to grow significantly by 2030.