Many fascinating products and technologies were on display during VISION 2010, held in Stuttgart last November. Indeed, the tradeshow was proof beyond question of the vitality and creativity to be found in the machine-vision world. This creativity nurtures the growing number of machine-vision applications, which further drive the industry.
The corresponding cycle of innovation is the result of sustained investment in education and research, and support by industry, academia, and government. Asian nations such as China, Singapore, and South Korea have been fueling their economic growth for the past decade with strong investment in education and R&D. The European Union, and Germany in particular, has shown a similar commitment to enhancing its competitive position by investing in research.
Of great concern is the fact that the US commitment to education and innovation shows signs of slipping, according to a recent joint report from the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine. The reasons for the decline are no secret: They include the recession, national debt, and the marked progress of other nations, which affects America’s relative ability to compete.
Competitive edge
If anyone questions the veracity of whether investing in education and research pays off, this issue provides ample evidence to support it. In his Product Focus, editor Andy Wilson describes how innovations in high-brightness, long-life LED technology have had a significant impact on the development of fiber-optic illumination systems, which in turn improve the performance of imaging systems for industrial or biomedical applications.
Our cover story reports on a fascinating railway infrastructure inspection system, developed by The Mermec Group in Italy, that demonstrates a very creative application of machine-vision technology. And from VISION 2010, we have the first in a series of articles by Andy Wilson describing imaginative products and technologies. These range from new camera test systems that enable evaluation of camera and vision system performance, to a 3-D lightfield camera that can be refocused, and a novel hyperspectral imaging system.
All these stories reinforce the conclusion that investment in research and development rewards those individuals, companies, and countries that understand and embrace its value. Our New Year’s wish: May 2011 be a year in which investment in education and innovation thrives.
