Sharing expertise in vision and edge Ai.

Joint initiatives, workshops and technology exchange will support the development and practical testing of Ai based image processing applications.

IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH has joined IPAI in Heilbronn (D) as a partner. The industrial camera manufacturer is contributing its expertise to the network, particularly in the areas of computer vision and edge Ai. At the same time, IDS aims to engage with companies, research institutions and technology partners to develop new Ai applications together, share experience and discuss current issues surrounding artificial intelligence.

IPAI is an innovation platform for applied artificial intelligence and supports companies and institutions in their Ai transformation. With the Ai campus currently being developed in Heilbronn, IPAI aims to create Europe’s leading centre for applied artificial intelligence. The ecosystem brings together expertise from a wide range of fields and provides an environment in which new ideas and approaches can be explored and advanced.

Learning, experimenting and developing together.
Through the partnership, IDS aims to draw on the experience and inspiration provided by the network to further develop the use of Ai within the company. In addition, the image processing specialist wants to actively share its own know-how as an "expert for the eyes" with the community and play a key role in topics relating to computer vision. The focus is on questions that are crucial to many industrial Ai applications: How can visual data be used effectively for Ai? What requirements does Ai place on camera technology? And how canAi methods be used directly on or close to the camera?

"For us, artificial intelligence is not just a topic for the future. It is already an integral part of specific developments and applications today. At the same time, there are still many questions that we, as a company, do not want to and cannot answer in isolation. What matters is collaboration: learning from one another, exploring approaches together and using them to develop solutions that deliver real added value in practice. "IPAI offers an exciting environment for this," says Jan Hartmann, Managing Partner at IDS.

From idea to application.
IDS specifically focuses on formats that combine knowledge transfer with hands-on experimentation. The new “Ai Vision Circle” gives IPAI members an opportunity to exchange ideas on Ai based image processing and further develop them together. With a Vision Readiness Check and computer vision hackathons, the industrial camera manufacturer supports participants in identifying potential and testing concrete solutions. In addition, they can borrow IDS cameras for their projects and receive expert advice on their use. Exploring new requirements and applications together also helps IDS look beyond today’s use cases.

Ai directly on the camera.
From a technology perspective, IDS has also been working with artificial intelligence for many years. With IDS NXT, the company offers a complete system for deploying intelligent cameras. This expertise is now increasingly being incorporated into the uEye Live portfolio for industrial process monitoring. Ai enabled monitoring cameras allow Ai based image analysis on-the-edge. Powerful neural networks from IDS partner DENKweit handle typical tasks such as rapid object and position detection, precise parcel handling and efficient code reading.

For IDS, the partnership also opens up new perspectives on future requirements for cameras and machine vision. Dialogue with stakeholders from industry, research and technology helps the company identify new fields of application at an early stage and understand how technological developments, such as vibe coding or quantum computing, may change applications and business models. IDS intends to incorporate the insights gained into the development of future cameras and computer vision components.

---

@IDS_Imaging @mepaxIntPR #IPAI #Pauto #Ai

Train, deploy and improve Ai robot vision.

Connects image acquisition, Ai model training, deployment and continuous improvement in a single industrial workflow, converting perception into intelligent robot motion.

ABB Robotics is expanding OmniCore™ EyeMotion with Ai Robot Trainer, enabling customers to train, deploy, and continuously improve Ai-powered robot vision applications faster and without needing experts to build Ai models from scratch.

“Physical Ai fundamentally changes what robots can do, where they can operate and the value they can create,” said Marc Segura, President, ABB Robotics. “Robotic Ai vision is the vital bridge between robot perception and physical actions, enabling robots to see, understand, and act in real time. Customers need a complete workflow to create, deploy and continuously improve it. OmniCore™ EyeMotion and Ai Robot Trainer work together, in a continuous loop of data generation, Ai model training, deployment and optimisation that advances Ai-powered vision and makes physical Aia reality, across industries for both experts and newcomers to robotics.”

Designed for system integrators and automation partners, OmniCore EyeMotion powered by Ai Robot Trainer simplifies the deployment and scaling of Ai-powered vision applications across multiple customer sites and production lines, reducing dependence on Ai specialists while accelerating commissioning and adaptation to production changes. Converting real shop floor images into deployable Ai vision data, the tools connect image acquisition, Ai model training, deployment and continuous improvement in a single industrial workflow, and convert perception directly to robot motion through automatic collision-free path planning.

The integrated solution reduces commissioning time by up to 90% and cycle time by up to 50% when combined with automatic collision-free path planning. A simple guided workflow and Ai chatbot lead users through every step of the process, helping system integrators handle changing SKUs, lighting, layouts, and object variations. It combines synthetic and real-world image data with ABB Robotics’ industrial knowledge and is compatible with any brand of camera and sensor.

Together, Ai Robot Trainer and OmniCore EyeMotion make advanced Ai vision development accessible without specialised expertise, for vision applications from simple 2D pick and place to more complex 3D bin picking, quality inspection, sorting or assembly.

---

@ABBRobotics @ABBgroupnews @abb_automation  @NapierPR #PAuto #Ai

Optical & wireless appointment.

ANRITSU has announced the appoiuntment of Jonathan Borrill as an Official Spokesperson for the IOWN Global Forum (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Global Forum). This Forum is an international industry organisation comprising more than 170 leading companies and organisations worldwide dedicated to advancing the innovation and adoption of connected technologies.

Jonathan Borrill 

The IOWN Global Forum was established to realise next-generation communications infrastructure leveraging photonics technologies. The Forum promotes a wide range of technology initiatives, including optical networking, distributed computing infrastructure, and energy-efficient technologies, as well as the creation of new applications and use cases enabled by these innovations. The Technology and Use Case Working Group, in which Jonathan Borrill contributes as an active participant, serves as a core body responsible for developing the technical architecture, requirements, and reference documents to accelerate the deployment of All-Photonic Network (APN)-based solutions. The Official Spokesperson is responsible for representing the IOWN Global Forum in external communications and technical outreach activities.

Throughout his career, Jonathan Borrill has contributed to a broad range of advanced technology fields, including communications networks, 5G and 6G, optical networking, network virtualisation, and AI-enabled technologies. He has also actively participated in technical studies and proof-of-concept activities within the IOWN Global Forum. His appointment recognises his technical expertise and contributions to industry collaboration.

---

@Anritsu @iowngf @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR #TandM

Inertial measurement unit.

OSCPS Motion Sensing Inc., (OSCP), has unveiled the MK2Z-3, a photonic inertial measurement unit now in development. The new unit builds on the MK2Z, OSCP's prototype IMU with a photonic gyroscope on the Z axis. The new unit offers photonic gyroscopes on one, two or all three axes in the same enclosure, so integrators can match the sensor to the mission rather than redesign around it. The unit weighs under one kilogram and occupies less than one litre.

OSCP's design target for the MK2Z-3 is gyro bias stability of 0.01 degrees per hour or better, in the navigation-grade band. That class of performance has traditionally come in larger, heavier and more power-hungry packages.

"A spacecraft or a lander has to keep track of its own attitude when there is nothing outside to check against," said Kazem Zandi, founder and chief executive of OSCP. "That is a gyroscope problem. With the MK2Z-3 we are taking the photonic gyro we built for one axis and giving it to all three, in a package a small mission can carry." Target applications include small satellites, launch vehicles, landers, re-entry capsules and planetary rovers, along with long-range, long-endurance platforms on Earth that must navigate without satellite positioning.

"Customers testing the MK2Z kept asking the same question: can we have that performance on the other two axes?" said Thibaut Gravey, vice-president, product. "The MK2Z-3 is our answer. It keeps the interfaces our customers already use, RS-422 or CAN-FD, so moving up from a single photonic axis does not mean starting the integration again."

The MK2Z-3 joins OSCP's MK2 family, which includes the MK2M2 MEMS IMU, the MK2E2 with a photonic gyroscope on the Z axis, and the MK2Z prototype. OSCP plans to ship MK2Z-3 samples in 2027. Specifications are design targets and may change during development.

---

#OSCP #Astronautics @PRNewswire

ProfiNET in six weeks, EtherNet/IP in two days!

This case study shows how ELOTECH restored delivery capability and built a future-ready multiprotocol communication platform with Anybus CompactCom 40 from HMS Networks.

When a critical communication platform reached end-of-life, ELOTECH turned to HMS Networks to restore delivery capability fast and build a future-ready multiprotocol communication platform.

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Hilden (D), ELOTECH develops temperature control solutions for plastics processing, extrusion, and industrial furnace systems. With more than 30 years of experience and over 5,000 product variants, the company is a leading provider of multi-zone temperature control solutions. The problem: a trusted platform reached its end of life.
ELOTECH's existing communication solution was approaching the end of its lifecycle, and the module it depended on was being discontinued, just as customer demand was increasing. The company needed a replacement quickly to maintain production and continue meeting customer expectations. “We were facing the risk of supply shortages. Our priority was to restore delivery capability as quickly as possible while establishing a stable foundation for future developments,” said Florian Black, Electronic Engineer, ELOTECH

Reliable, flexible, compact, and quick to implement answer required.
ELOTECH decided that replacing the aging platform was the better long-term option. The company needed a solution that was reliable, compact, capable of supporting multiple industrial protocols, and fast to implement. It also wanted a future-ready platform that could support long-term product development, including evolving cybersecurity requirements.

“Reliability was our top priority. We wanted a proven solution from an established supplier that we could rely on for many years. We also needed a highly compact solution, ideally in a stamp-sized form factor that could be hand soldered for quick prototyping as well as optimized for serial production costs. Support for multiple industrial protocols was also important, as it would minimize the number of product variants. And given the situation, immediate availability and the fastest possible integration were key elements,” outlines Florian.

Solution.

After evaluating available alternatives, ELOTECH selected the Anybus CompactCom 40 Brick as the foundation for its next-generation communication platform. Florian explains why. “We were already familiar with Anybus from a previous evaluation, so we had a good overview of the concept. What convinced us was the combination of technical capabilities and promised low implementation effort. That aligns very well with our product strategy and simplifies future developments.”

In six weeks.
The implementation project started the week after the initial discussion with a hands-on workshop, where HMS experts introduced ELOTECH's team to the key tools, processes, and development resources needed to get started quickly. This early guidance proved critical. Rather than spending time learning unfamiliar tools and processes, ELOTECH's engineers could focus on integrating communication functionality into their products and rapidly progressing towards a working prototype.

Throughout the project, HMS Networks provided starter kits, documentation, code examples, configuration tools, and technical support. Its API and host application code generator let ELOTECH's team focus on the functionality specific to their device rather than communication details, accelerating prototyping and testing.

“The result was remarkable. From the initial workshop to a customer-ready ProfiNET solution, the entire process took approximately six weeks, including both hardware and software development. Considering the time pressure we were facing, this was a significant achievement,” says Florian.

EtherNet/IP added in only two days.
The successful ProfiNET implementation solved ELOTECH's immediate delivery challenge, but it also demonstrated the value of a multiprotocol communication platform.

“Once the platform was established, expanding to additional protocols became much easier. Our immediate focus had been ProfiNET because it represented the highest volume requirements and the greatest business urgency. After successfully completing that implementation, we were able to add EtherNet/IP with very little additional effort. In fact, the implementation required only about two days of effective development work,” explains Florian.

For ELOTECH, this highlighted one of the key advantages of the Anybus approach. Instead of developing and maintaining separate communication solutions for different markets and customer requirements, the company could build on a common hardware platform and efficiently add support for new protocols as needed.

Delivery restored, effort reduced.
The first major benefit for ELOTECH was restoring its delivery capability. “We were able to respond to customer demand quickly and avoid the long-term risks associated with the previous solution. At the same time, we gained a significantly more flexible platform for future developments,” according to Florian.

Today, many configuration changes can be implemented through application software, reducing development effort and speeding response to new customer requirements. “Our customers also benefit. Firmware updates are easier to manage, maintenance becomes simpler, and multiple communication protocols can be supported on the same hardware platform. This reduces product variants and simplifies deployment across different markets and applications,” Florian added.

Building for the future.
For ELOTECH, the implementation was much more than a technical upgrade. It was a strategic step that helped secure short-term delivery capability while creating a future-proof communication platform.

“The biggest impact is clearly on time-to-market. In the past, communication implementations had taken more than a year before reaching production readiness. With the new platform, development cycles have been significantly shortened, while future protocol integrations and product adaptations can be completed with far less engineering effort,” says Florian.

By combining fast integration, strong technical support, and multiprotocol flexibility, ELOTECH transformed an urgent supply-risk challenge into a long-term competitive advantage. In the context of increasing cybersecurity regulation, the new platform also provides a communication foundation designed to support future CRA compliance efforts.

The results speak for themselves: ProfiNET in six weeks, EtherNet/IP in two days, and a communication platform ready for the next generation of industrial products.

---

@hmsnetworks @HMSAnybus @mepaxIntPR #Elotech #PAuto #Connectivity #Germany

Camera to accelerate Edge Ai Vision.

Kit simplifies multi-camera integration for automotive ADAS and robotics applications.

The Innodisk GMSL2™ Camera Starter Kit, an all-in-one vision solution that bundles four 3MP GMSL2™ camera modules, a capture card, FAKRA cables, and other necessary accessories. This is regarded as a milestone in Innodisk’s edge Ai vision strategy, the kit lets customers set up a multi-camera system and begin validation right out of the box, shortening the path from proof of concept (PoC) to deployment. Full camera source code is included, giving customers flexibility throughout development and maintenance.

As Ai vision moves toward multi-camera perception in robotics and intelligent vehicles, integrating cameras, capture cards, drivers, and host platforms has become increasingly complex, often taking six months or more before validation. The starter kit’s pre-integrated hardware and software driver enable system integrators to speed up time-to-market.

GMSL2™ is a high-speed video transmission technology that originated in automotive applications and offers long-distance connectivity. Unlike plug-and-play USB cameras, it requires a dedicated capture card and platform-specific drivers. The starter kit includes four 3MP fixed-focus GMSL2™ camera modules, a capture card, four FAKRA cables, a power adapter, power cords, and a quick start guide. It also provides camera source code for the widely adopted NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit, so users can bypass component sourcing, system-level integration, driver debugging, and tuning.

“The biggest challenge in a multi-camera AI vision project is often not the AI application itself, but the camera integration and system tuning that come before it,” said CK Hsu, Senior Manager of the Camera Product Business Department at Innodisk. “With the GMSL2™ Camera Starter Kit, Innodisk takes on the complexity of early-stage integration so customers can focus on development and move into PoC sooner.”

With the camera source code in hand, engineering teams can independently adapt the software driver to their own requirements and use the kit as a working foundation for further development. Innodisk also provides comprehensive customisation services from hardware fine-tuning to application deployment, helping customers move smoothly into design-in and mass production.

The kit supports edge Ai scenarios including blind spot detection and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for heavy-duty vehicles, object recognition and environmental perception for humanoid robots and AMRs. Innodisk plans to expand its GMSL2™ portfolio and introduce more starter kits covering different camera models and supported platforms.

---

@Innodisk_Corp @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Ai #Robotics

Accessible emergency stop switch.

Extends the ability of users to safely stop equipment that is remote, hard to reach, or in motion.

A new assisted emergency stop (AE-stop) switch has been added to IDEC's wide range of safety products. The XW1E carries forward the same performance and patented features of other e-stop switches in the IDEC portfolio, while adding an optional solenoid-operated activation assist function so designers can incorporate improved safety in the form of remotely-commanded e-stop operation.

E-stops and safe equipment design.
Establishing a proper e-stop circuit, which commonly includes one or more e-stop buttons and other associated components, is essential for creating safe equipment designs. Workers will press an e-stop switch (button), latching it in the down position and de-energizing the e-stop circuit, to safely stop machines and other equipment when needed. The e-stop switch must be manually pulled back to the up position when the problem condition is cleared to reset the e-stop circuit.

Traditional e-stop switches work well for fixed installations with easy access. However, modern factories, warehouses, and similar sites increasingly have incorporated automated machinery and equipment, extensive robotics, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and other self-driving vehicles. What if automated equipment and/or payloads are moving in a manner that makes it challenging for workers to reach an e-stop switch?

Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear standard IEC 60947-5-5:2026 includes specific requirements for e- stop devices, and they now allow for the embedding of additional functions. This development has made possible some new and unique capabilities for e-stops.

Expanding e-stop capabilities.
IDEC has designed the new XW1E assisted e-stop switch based on the same fundamentals as other e-stop switches in the lineup, but with a brand-new additional functionality—the optional capability of being externally activated by a remotely-sourced signal. While the switch itself is safety-rated, the assisted activation is not a safety-rated function.

The AE-stop is a robust industrial-grade device with a compact form factor installable in a standard 22mm mounting hole, and it comes with an IP65 and UL Type 4X (indoor) rating. Designed and tested to withstand at least 250,000 mechanical/electrical operations, exceptional durability is assured. A red button top cap is easily seen, and it requires 11N to push latched, 17N to pull reset, or 0.27N-m to turn reset. A set of standard 1NO2NC contacts with push-in terminals provide one monitoring contact and two main contacts suitable for integrating with a wide variety of safety circuit designs.

The AE-stop physical mechanism uses a unique and patented “reverse energy structure” for an additional degree of safety, with a spring arranged to operate the e-stop if it is physically damaged in certain ways. Competitive devices can fail to drive equipment to a safe state under these conditions.

Where the AE-stop switch goes beyond traditional switches is with the addition of a 24V DC solenoid, which when energized will drive the button into the push latched state just as if a local person did so. This functionality allows designers to create more sophisticated ways for personnel, and even other automation components, to operate an e-stop circuit, providing improved options for creating safe design.

A remote activation signal may be generated by another safety device, an external sensor or controller, or even a wireless system or other more advanced options. It is important to note that whether a person or the solenoid push latches the AE-stop switch, the switch can only be reset locally and manually by a person. The overall design of the AE-stop switch preserves all basic and standard e-stop functionality in compliance with associated industry standards, and it simply provides new opportunities to create even safer equipment designs.

The IDEC assisted e-stop switch is designed to provide innovative new capabilities meeting the very latest safety standards, in an industry-leading small form factor rated for challenging environmental conditions. This style of assisted e-stop provides greater capabilities for new and retrofit applications such as robotics, AGV/AMR, logistics equipment, agricultural and construction machinery, the service industry, and anywhere else where automated equipment and moving payloads might make it challenging for users to reach a conventional e-stop switch when needed.

---

@IDECUSA #PAuto #safety #Manufacturing