1.Can you briefly introduce your company first? (Enterprise history, main business, current development status)

The Imaging Source was founded in 1988 by Mr. Rolf Bollhorst and Mr. Heiner Suhr in Bremen, Germany, and has since grown from a small business into a global leader in the digital imaging industry. With over 30 years of experience in machine vision, we have continuously expanded our product lines, beginning with frame grabbers and evolving into a comprehensive range of high-quality machine vision products. Today, our cameras—featuring USB 3.1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, GigE, MIPI interfaces, and more—are recognized for their exceptional performance and reliability in demanding applications.

As a family-run business, The Imaging Source upholds the core values of stability, trustworthiness, and longevity, which have been integral to our success over the decades. Our vision is to enhance the quality of life for everyone by leveraging machine vision technology to protect lives and make them safer and more enjoyable. This commitment is reflected in our global production strategy, with key components sourced from Asia and production lines distributed between Germany and Asia, giving us a competitive edge in both pricing and production efficiency.

2.What innovative products and cutting-edge technologies will your company showcase at VisionChina2024 (Shenzhen) exhibition? Which highlights are particularly attractive? Please share one or two successful application cases to demonstrate their practical value.

At VisionChina2024 (Shenzhen), The Imaging Source will showcase a range of innovative products and cutting-edge technologies that highlight our commitment to advancing the machine vision industry. Among the standout products are our newly introduced carrier board, designed for versatility in embedded vision applications, and our compact 47G board camera, tailored for high-performance imaging in a variety of fields.

Our new carrier board features an NXP-based System-on-Module (SoM) from Toradex, which supports single and dual-camera embedded vision applications. This platform integrates our MIPI CSI-2 and FPD-Link III camera portfolio with industrial-grade connectivity, reliability, and product longevity, offering a scalable solution for lean hardware development. Key features include dual MIPI CSI-2 interfaces, gigabit ethernet with power-over-ethernet support, and extensive connectivity options, making it an adaptable tool for numerous industrial applications.

The 47G board camera is another highlight, boasting a compact size of just 36x36mm and available in two versions. The first version features a 5.1-megapixel Onsemi AR0521 sensor with a frame rate of up to 22 FPS, while the second utilizes a Sony global shutter IMX900 sensor with 3.2 megapixels and a frame rate of up to 36 FPS. This camera supports both GenICam and GigEVision, making it compatible with Windows and Linux platforms and offering developers cross-platform integration through our SDK, IC Imaging Control 4.

Since the above products are completely new, we would like to highlight an application involving the use of our DMK33GX264 GigE industrial cameras, which have been successfully implemented in a Romanian automation solution designed to inspect drill holes on furniture components TIS Cameras: "Easy to Work with in a Complex Automation System". This system, developed in collaboration with local flat-pack furniture manufacturers, significantly reduced error rates and enhanced customer satisfaction for major clients, including a global furniture retailer. This case exemplifies how our cameras are 'easy to work with in a complex automation system,' showcasing their practical value in improving manufacturing processes.

In addition to industrial inspection, our cameras have broad applications in fields such as academic research, astronomy, medical imaging, and autonomous driving systems. The versatility and reliability of our products open up numerous possibilities for collaboration across diverse industries, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of our machine vision technologies.

3.Shenzhen is known for its technological innovation vitality. What characteristics do you think innovative enterprises should possess? How can your company maintain and enhance this innovative capability?

Innovative enterprises should possess a few key characteristics to thrive in a dynamic environment like Shenzhen, known for its technological innovation vitality. Firstly, they must closely monitor market demands, ensuring that they are always in tune with the evolving needs of their customers. Secondly, they should invest in continuous research of new technologies, especially their applications within the machine vision industry, to stay ahead of the curve. It is essential not to rest on past achievements but to have the courage to take calculated risks, introducing new and innovative products that push the boundaries of what is possible.

At The Imaging Source, we maintain and enhance our innovative capability by adhering to these principles. We continuously explore the latest technological advancements and how they can be applied to improve our machine vision products. Our commitment to innovation ensures that we not only meet current market needs but also anticipate future demands. By fostering a culture that encourages risk-taking and the pursuit of excellence, we are able to consistently introduce new products that set industry standards, keeping us at the forefront of the machine vision industry.

4.How do you view the profound changes that this trend has brought to the entire industry ecosystem in the wave of "two industry integration" (i.e. deep integration and development of advanced manufacturing and modern service industries)? What specific strategies has your company adopted to actively adapt to and promote its own transformation and upgrading in the face of these changes? (Reference materials：https://www.fanruan.com/bw/article/174286 )

Under the trend of "integration of two industries," the deep integration of advanced manufacturing and modern service industries is reshaping the entire industry ecosystem. This trend promotes continuous improvements in automation, digitalization, and service orientation in the manufacturing industry. For industrial camera companies like ours, this means higher production efficiency, more flexible production processes, and deeper customer service needs.

Although our company currently does not directly integrate AI technology into our systems, we are actively responding to industry changes by enhancing product performance and optimizing services. For example, we continuously update and upgrade our industrial camera products, offering higher resolution and faster response speeds to meet the growing demands for precision and efficiency in manufacturing. Recently, we introduced a new camera selection tool on our website, allowing customers to more easily choose the right camera model based on their specific needs. This feature not only simplifies the selection process but also significantly improves customer satisfaction.

Additionally, we have implemented a strategy of transitioning from outsourcing SMT (Surface Mount Technology) to establishing our own SMT department, which includes an intelligent management warehouse. This move not only shortens delivery times but also provides more trial production space, enhancing production flexibility. The application of the intelligent management warehouse further improves material management efficiency, ensuring precision and reliability in the production process.

Through these strategies, we are not only adapting to the industry changes brought about by the "integration of two industries" but also advancing our own continuous development and market competitiveness.

5.VisionChina 2024 (Shenzhen) proposes the concept of 'Vision Plus X' to explore new boundaries in machine vision. Do you have any unique insights on this? Did you observe any exciting moments of cross-border integration or technological collision during the exhibition? Furthermore, what is your overall impression of this exhibition?

Regarding the "Vision Plus X" concept proposed for VisionChina 2024 (Shenzhen), I believe it highlights the broad prospects of the machine vision field and the continuous evolution of technology. "Vision Plus X" not only signifies the enhancement of machine vision technology itself but also emphasizes its integration with other fields, exploring broader application boundaries. This cross-disciplinary integration can drive technological innovation, expand the application scenarios of machine vision, and bring more market opportunities and industry transformations.

I am very much looking forward to this exhibition. As The Imaging Source's first exhibition in Shenzhen, we hope to take this opportunity to introduce our company and products to a wider audience. We will showcase our latest technologies and solutions in the field of industrial cameras and engage in in-depth exchanges with more industry professionals. This is not only an opportunity for us to demonstrate our innovation and technological capabilities but also a valuable industry exchange event. We look forward to discussing the future development of machine vision with experts and peers and exploring more collaboration opportunities.

6.Please share your personal feelings and insights on the overall development of the machine vision market in 2024, and based on this, look forward to and talk about your expectations and predictions for the future development of the Chinese machine vision market in 2025.

In 2024, the machine vision market underwent significant transformation due to various global challenges, which also had an impact on our industry. This year has been a test of resilience and adaptability, as companies navigated through economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, and evolving technological demands. Despite these challenges, there has been a strong push towards innovation, particularly in areas such as AI and deep learning integration, which are increasingly becoming central to quality control and automation processes.

Looking ahead to 2025, we anticipate a rise in demand across various industries as businesses continue to recover and adapt to new market conditions. The growing need for automation and precision in manufacturing, logistics, and other sectors will drive the adoption of advanced machine vision solutions. Furthermore, global trade remains a vital component, fostering communication and understanding between markets, which in turn generates new business opportunities.

At The Imaging Source, we are optimistic about the coming year. We expect to reach our pre-COVID sales levels as the market stabilizes and demand picks up. In the Chinese machine vision market specifically, we foresee strong growth, driven by the country's ongoing industrial modernization and its increasing focus on high-tech manufacturing. Our goal is to continue to support this development by providing innovative, reliable, and cost-effective machine vision solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers in China and beyond.