Common Industrial Standards Expected to Boost Machine Vision Technology System Markets

    SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 28 -- As machine vision technology
rapidly expands to meet sophisticated market demands, developing a common
standard is necessary to increase the system component and capability options
available to end users, and to make systems more appealing.
    New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.testandmeasurement.frost.com ),
World Machine Vision Inspection System Markets, reveals that the industry
generated revenues totaling $1.12 billion in 2002. Total market revenues could
reach $2.62 billion in 2009.
    "The lack of operating standards within the machine vision industry
creates difficulties in developing and operating vision systems and end users
often cannot connect desired components," says Frost & Sullivan Research
Analyst Sunderraju Ramachandran.  "Conflicts between components, computer
software and hardware technologies, and user interfaces reduce credibility for
the industry as a whole as there exists no plug-and-play for a generic
system."
    With the industry working toward making machine vision technology
irreplaceable in the inspection and quality control processes, research and
development budgets are likely to be strained.
    End users want systems based on technology that is more robust, have
greater potential applications, and add value.  Simpler user interfaces that
allow comfortable interaction with the system, regardless of the level of
technical knowledge, are also in demand.  Other areas that need additional
focus include optical character and pattern recognition algorithms, resolution
and image mapping.
    Increasing buyer awareness of the vastly improved capabilities of machine
vision systems is also important to overcome lingering skepticism or
misinformation created by the earlier less capable systems.
    Innovation is the key to success in this market. With processes in the
automotive, electronic, semiconductor, food and pharmaceutical industries
requiring more high-technology vision systems, products that have greater
flexibility, the ability to inspect multiple parts and handle product
changeovers seamlessly and efficiently without major reprogramming, are the
order of the day.
    Frost & Sullivan will hold a conference call at 1:00 p.m. (EST)/
10:00 a.m. (PST) on February 4, 2003 to provide a summary and analysis of the
latest developments in machine vision inspection system markets.  Those
interested in participating in the call should send an e-mail to Julia Rowell
at jrowell@frost.com with the following information for registration:
    Full name, Company Name, Title, Contact Tel Number, Contact Fax Number,
E-mail.  Upon receipt of the above information, a confirmation/pass code for
the live briefing will be e-mailed to you.
    Frost & Sullivan is a global leader in strategic growth consulting.  This
ongoing research also includes market analysis of the World Automotive Test
Equipment Markets and World ATE Services Markets.  Frost & Sullivan also
offers custom growth consulting to a variety of national and international
companies.  Executive summaries and interviews are available to the press.

                World Machine Vision Inspection System Markets
                                 Report: A246

     Contact:
     Julia Rowell
     P: 210.247.3870
     F: 210.348.1003
     E: jrowell@frost.com

     http://www.frost.com