The U.S. is one of the most dynamic automation markets worldwide. Customers expect robust, scalable solutions, fast integration, and long-term reliability. Automate allows us to engage directly with OEMs, system integrators, and end users.
Automate 2026 Q&A with IDS Imaging
Q&A with David Mayers, Sales Director | IDS Imaging Development Systems North America
Tell us about your company.
Cameras are a core technology in automation. IDS Imaging Development Systems develops industrial cameras and software that make processes more efficient and machines smarter.
Founded in 1997 as a two-person start-up, IDS has grown into a global company with around 320 employees and subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Our cameras are used worldwide in industries ranging from medical technology and agriculture to automotive, intelligent transport systems, and scientific research.
Our portfolio includes 2D and 3D cameras with various interfaces, a broad selection of image sensors, and dedicated software solutions. We also develop custom cameras and offer models with integrated AI, streaming, and event recording capabilities.
All IDS cameras are developed and manufactured in Germany, at our headquarters in Obersulm. We are the only supplier in the industry to offer a voluntary three-year manufacturer’s warranty on all IDS-branded camera series. This underlines our focus on quality, reliability, and long-term investment protection. Sustainability, ease of use, and application-driven features are key principles in our development and production.
Further information is available at www.ids-imaging.com, including product details, company news, and practical insights in our Knowledge Base and Vision Channel.
Your company will be exhibiting at Automate, what is it that makes this an important event for your company?
Automate is a key event for IDS because it brings together exactly the technologies and decision-makers that define our business today: automation, robotics, and machine vision in industrial applications.
For us, Automate is more than a product showcase. It is a platform to demonstrate how our portfolio has evolved – from classic 2D cameras to 3D vision, embedded and AI-enabled solutions, and application-specific camera systems. These technologies address concrete challenges in manufacturing, logistics, and quality inspection, which are highly relevant for the North American market.
The U.S. is one of the most dynamic automation markets worldwide. Customers expect robust, scalable solutions, fast integration, and long-term reliability. Automate allows us to engage directly with OEMs, system integrators, and end users, to understand their requirements and to position IDS as a technology partner – not just a camera supplier.
For IDS, exhibiting at Automate is therefore essential: it strengthens our presence in North America, supports our growing U.S. business, and underscores our commitment to the market with a portfolio that continues to expand in both depth and application focus.
What makes your booth a must visit for Automate Attendees?
Our booth is a must-visit for Automate attendees because it reflects the full breadth of how machine vision is evolving – from classic image acquisition to event-based and 3D vision systems.
In line with the show’s key themes, we present innovations across our entire portfolio, with a strong focus on technologies that enable faster, more robust, and more efficient automation.
A key highlight is Nion, our first cost-efficient 3D Time-of-Flight camera. With a 1.2-megapixel resolution, on-chip depth processing, and high resistance to ambient light, it delivers reliable depth data even in dynamic environments. This makes it well suited for applications in industrial logistics, automation, and robotics. https://www.ids-imaging.us/ueye-3d-camera-nion.html
Another focus is our event-based camera portfolio. The uEye EVS series captures fast motion with exceptional temporal precision while drastically reducing data volume. With the uEye XLS-E, this sensor technology is now available directly in the lens holder, opening up new possibilities for embedded vision applications. https://www.ids-imaging.us/ueye-evs-cameras.html
In addition, visitors can explore our broad range of area scan and 3D cameras – from compact board-level designs to robust industrial models. Together, these solutions demonstrate how IDS supports reliable image acquisition for a wide variety of machine vision tasks in automation, inspection, and robotics.
When you get a chance to walk the exhibit hall floor yourself, what is it you will be most interested to see? Any educational sessions, pavilions etc. you plan on attending?
Every show we attend, we make it a priority for our team to explore the floor. We continuously observe emerging technologies, evolving market trends, competitor offerings and feedback on our own products. This helps us identify opportunities for improvement and understand which features and innovations the market is looking for next. We remain committed to moving forward with our products, our service, our strategy and our role in this dynamic industry.
AI will of course be a huge topic. How is your companies services and products utilizing AI now to improve business?
AI is already a practical tool in our portfolio, not a future promise. At IDS, we focus on making AI-based image processing reliable, accessible, and easy to integrate into industrial environments.
A current example is the expansion of our IDS NXT oslo camera family. https://www.ids-imaging.us/ids-nxt-malibu-oslo.html . The latest model features an 8 MP Sony Starvis 2 sensor, delivering excellent image quality and outstanding low-light performance. Combined with on-camera AI processing, this enables robust object detection, classification, and quality inspection – even under challenging lighting conditions. The camera also supports 4K live streaming and offers IP69K protection, making it suitable for harsh industrial environments.
In addition, we continue to advance event-based vision and embedded AI concepts through close technology partnerships. Together, these approaches help our customers reduce system complexity, process data more efficiently, and bring AI-powered vision solutions into real-world production faster.
Give us your thoughts on what the future holds for robotics and automation
Robotics and automation are entering a more pragmatic phase. The focus is shifting from isolated pilot projects to scalable, reliable solutions that work under real production conditions.
Three developments stand out. First, AI is moving closer to the machine. On-device and edge processing are becoming essential to reduce latency, dependency on connectivity, and system complexity. This is particularly important in robotics, where fast reactions and stable operation matter more than theoretical accuracy.
Second, the industry is addressing a growing skills gap. Automation systems must become easier to deploy and maintain. Vision and AI solutions that require deep expertise will limit adoption. The future lies in systems that are robust, configurable, and usable by non-experts – without weeks of integration effort.
Third, flexibility is replacing rigid automation. Shorter product life cycles and volatile markets demand vision systems that can adapt to changing tasks, lighting conditions, and environments without extensive reprogramming. Event-based vision, 3D vision, and AI-supported perception will play a key role here.
Overall, the next phase of robotics and automation will not be defined by maximum performance alone, but by solutions that combine intelligence with reliability, usability, and economic viability. Companies that solve these challenges will shape the market.
Visit IDS at booth 4067 and explore new possibilities for your automation applications with IDS industrial cameras.
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David Mayers currently serves as the Sales Director for IDS in North America. He is responsible for all strategy and sales for the North American business. With over 15 years in Machine Vision, David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to IDS. Together, with a highly motivated team, they have been able to navigate the complexities of the Machine Vision and Automation landscape advancing IDS’s mission of connecting customers with innovative imaging solutions.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of RoboticsTomorrow
IDS Imaging Development Systems Inc.
World-class image processing and industrial cameras "Made in Germany". Machine vision systems from IDS are powerful and easy to use. IDS is a leading provider of area scan cameras with USB and GigE interfaces, 3D industrial cameras and industrial cameras with artificial intelligence. Industrial monitoring cameras with streaming and event recording complete the portfolio. One of IDS's key strengths is customized solutions. An experienced project team of hardware and software developers makes almost anything technically possible to meet individual specifications - from custom design and PCB electronics to specific connector configurations. Whether in an industrial or non-industrial setting: IDS cameras and sensors assist companies worldwide in optimizing processes, ensuring quality, driving research, conserving raw materials, and serving people. They provide reliability, efficiency and flexibility for your application.
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