July 16, 2026 | Press Release | MVTec, HALCON, MERLIC, Deep Learning Tool
MVTec will showcase new features and the benefits of MVTec HALCON, MVTec MERLIC, and the MVTec Deep Learning Tool. In addition, the company will demonstrate how artificial intelligence is already enhancing machine vision today and how it will continue to do so. MVTec's exhibition in Hall 8, Booth 8C56, will be held under the motto "Pushing machine vision to the edge."
"VISION in Stuttgart has always been of central strategic importance to MVTec. As the industry's premier gathering, our trade show presence focuses on engaging with prospective customers, existing customers, and partners while showcasing new machine vision technologies and innovations," says Dr. Olaf Munkelt, Managing Director of MVTec.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the main focus of MVTec's exhibition. Deep learning has already fundamentally transformed machine vision algorithms. AI is now expanding into adjacent areas, from development and deployment to the operation of machine vision applications.
To illustrate this evolution, MVTec has organized its booth around several thematic areas highlighting different aspects of machine vision where AI plays a key role. These topics include image processing, disruption, speed, security, partnerships, and development environments.
"The importance and adoption of AI within our industry will continue to grow significantly. At VISION, we will present AI-based solutions and tools for the first time that extend far beyond the traditional use of AI in image processing. We want to demonstrate where our industry is heading," explains Dr. Munkelt.
Visitors to VISION 2026 can learn how the advantages and flexibility of MVTec software help companies gain a competitive edge through greater automation and digitalization.
"Our software products, MVTec HALCON and MVTec MERLIC, combine state-of-the-art deep learning methods with rule-based approaches, making them exceptionally powerful and flexible. They are also designed to be hardware-independent, allowing users to freely choose the hardware components best suited to their specific applications," explains Dr. Maximilian Lückenhaus, Director of Marketing + Business Development at MVTec.
HALCON is a powerful machine vision software package designed for demanding applications such as quality assurance, identification, and robotics across a wide range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, battery production, and food processing.
MERLIC is an easy-to-use software that enables even beginners to access powerful AI algorithms. It also offers features that improve process stability, support audit trails, and provide extensive connectivity to various PLCs, making it much more than a conventional machine vision software package.
The Deep Learning Tool enables efficient preparation of training data as well as the training and evaluation of AI models.
New releases for all MVTec software products are scheduled for fall 2026. Visitors to the MVTec booth will be among the first to learn about the new features.
Within the "Disruption" area, MVTec demonstrates how disruptive technologies are ushering in the next generation of machine vision. As a special highlight, the company will present the AI Vision Solver, a forward-looking prototype for developing machine vision applications.
Visitors can select different application scenarios on a touchscreen. The selected task is then automatically executed in HDevelopEVO via a prompt, demonstrating how modern AI technologies can support the creation of machine vision applications. The system leverages HALCON's extensive library as its knowledge base and illustrates how AI agents can accelerate future development processes and simplify entry into machine vision.
The AI Vision Solver provides an exciting preview of the next generation of AI-assisted vision software.
"Artificial intelligence has given our industry tremendous momentum over the past several years. We are now approaching the next milestone: in addition to AI algorithms, AI agents are entering the picture. By combining our software with AI agents, we make it even easier to use—even for non-experts—while simultaneously increasing development efficiency for our customers," says Dr. Lückenhaus.
Machine vision also plays an important role in the field of Physical AI. Physical AI systems must be able to reliably perceive, interpret, and respond to their surroundings. In collaboration with NEURA Robotics, MVTec demonstrates at its booth how machine vision provides a fundamental building block for intelligent robotics and automation applications.
Speed is a critical factor in machine vision. AI-based applications in particular place high demands on available computing power. At VISION, MVTec will demonstrate how deep learning inference can be efficiently executed on various target platforms using modern hardware accelerators. As a hardware-independent software provider, MVTec helps customers select the optimal hardware and software combination for their specific applications. Through dedicated interfaces and integrations, AI accelerators from leading manufacturers such as Qualcomm, NVIDIA, Intel, and AMD can be utilized. This enables powerful, scalable machine vision solutions that are optimally tailored to individual production environments.
Another important topic in machine vision—one whose importance has increased even further with AI—is cybersecurity. At VISION, MVTec will demonstrate its approach to cyber resilience and how it supports customers in meeting evolving security requirements. The company also provides consulting on regulatory topics such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
MVTec will also demonstrate how industrial ecosystems create new ways to access machine vision software. Developed by partners, these ecosystems can simplify the development, deployment, and maintenance of automation applications. MVTec extends these benefits to machine vision, helping users efficiently integrate image processing into industrial automation environments.
Within the "Development Environment" section of the booth, MVTec will present HDevelopEVO. The next generation of HALCON's integrated development environment helps developers implement machine vision applications in a more structured, transparent, and efficient manner. AI is playing an increasingly important role both during application development and later in production environments. HDevelopEVO has been designed with both aspects in mind. At the booth, MVTec will showcase the current state of HDevelopEVO's development. Visitors will gain insight into a highly advanced development stage that is already suitable for productive use while continuing to evolve with new capabilities and features. Discussions with MVTec experts will provide additional information about current concepts, new functionality, and the future roadmap for HDevelopEVO.
In addition to live demonstrations at the booth, visitors will have further opportunities to learn about MVTec, its technologies, and its products during VISION 2026.
An MVTec expert will present a talk entitled "6D Pose Estimation Based on Synthetic Data" at the Synthetic Data Symposium. MVTec will also once again offer its Application Guided Tours. Led by an MVTec expert, these tours are open to all attendees interested in live demonstrations by partner companies featuring MVTec software.
Dr. Olaf Munkelt, Managing Director MVTec (.jpg)
Dr. Maximilian Lueckenhaus, Marketing & Business Development MVTec (.jpg)
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