The transition to Industry 4.0 relies on advanced automation technologies that integrate robotics, artificial intelligence, and real-time data processing. Among these, 3D vision plays a critical role in enabling fully autonomous industrial processes. For R&D centers focused on developing next-generation solutions, 3D vision systems are the foundation for achieving precision, flexibility, and adaptability in robotic applications.

With the ability to capture and analyze objects in three dimensions, these systems open up new possibilities for automating complex tasks such as quality inspection, bin picking, and dynamic object localization. 

Unlike conventional 2D vision systems, 3D vision provides robots with spatial awareness. This technological leap is essential for creating the smart IoT factories of the future—where manufacturing, inspection, and logistics are seamlessly integrated into a single, self-optimizing ecosystem.

In this interview, Intemac Solutions, a forward-thinking R&D center, shares their experience of how 3D vision technology from Photoneo is helping them overcome key challenges and take significant strides toward building a fully autonomous Industry 4.0 factory. 

It was our pleasure to interview Intemac’s R&D Specialist, Vojtěch Marek.

Could you tell us about Intemac Solutions and its mission?

Intemac Solutions is a cutting-edge R&D center dedicated to accelerating the automation journey for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our primary mission is to facilitate the transition toward Industry 4.0 by developing and implementing advanced automation solutions. This includes everything from robotic cells and ERP systems to full-scale, integrated automation solutions. While our core operations are focused on the Czech Republic, we are steadily expanding our presence abroad as well.

Your work spans everything from robotic cells to full-scale automation systems. What are you working on now?

We’re currently opening a new chapter for Intemac that targets the most progressive areas of industrial automation. Specifically, we’re focusing on AI implementation, particularly in quality control and advanced robotic integration. Our goal is to leverage AI and data-driven approaches to manage and optimize complex robotic installations. We see enormous potential in using recent advancements in artificial intelligence to achieve more efficient and autonomous operations.

Can you describe how you optimize these complex robotic installations?

The robotic cell we’ve developed is called the Visual Inspection Cell, and it represents a crucial building block in our long-term vision of a fully autonomous smart factory. The end goal is to create a system of interconnected robotic cells that can operate autonomously with minimal human intervention—a true realization of Industry 4.0.

Currently, many industrial processes are segmented, with manufacturing and quality inspection often treated as separate stages. Our aim is to integrate these processes into a seamless, fully automated system. For example, we’ve developed a robotic cell for a metal-processing partner, and right next to it, we’ve deployed the Visual Inspection Cell to automate quality control. In the next phase, we’ll merge these processes into a unified, integrated workflow.

Why did you choose Photoneo’s 3D vision technology for this project?

Our products are complex and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, which makes 3D vision essential. We needed a solution that could capture and process data in three dimensions with high precision and reliability.

We chose Photoneo based on positive feedback from our colleagues at VUT (Brno University of Technology), who had excellent experiences with their solutions. Currently, we’re using PhoXi 3D Scanners along with Locator Studio, but this is only the beginning. As our installations grow, we plan to scale up and incorporate MotionCam-3D and Bin Picking Studio. These tools will be crucial for tasks such as collision-free path planning and dynamic object localization, which are essential for building a truly autonomous factory.

Can you share how you plan to use MotionCam-3D and why?

We’re particularly intrigued by MotionCam-3D’s ability to perform 3D scanning in motion, which is critical for dynamic environments. Static scanners simply can’t meet the requirements for certain complex tasks, so integrating MotionCam-3D is a key step toward achieving our vision of a fully autonomous factory.

The possibility to mount a MotionCam-3D on a collaborative robot (cobot) in a hand-eye configuration to scan while in motion is especially exciting. This opens up new possibilities for dynamic, real-time 3D scanning in industrial environments where static scanning isn’t sufficient.

In combination with Bin Picking Studio, this technology allows us to implement advanced path-planning strategies and provides our robots with both “eyes” and “brains” for executing complex tasks with high precision. As an R&D center, we’re also eager to explore and push the boundaries of what’s possible with these solutions, and we look forward to collaborating with Photoneo to perfect them further.

You mentioned collaborating with universities. What’s your approach to innovation and commercialization?

Collaboration with academia is central to our approach. We work closely with technical universities, offering students the opportunity to test and refine their ideas in our innovation center as part of their thesis projects. This partnership fuels creativity and opens up new avenues for development.

Our projects are primarily funded through grants, which allow us to focus on research and innovation without immediate market pressures. Once we develop a solution—such as a robotic cell—we rely on our network of partner companies to integrate these innovations into their operations.

Our go-to-market strategy focuses heavily on education and raising awareness. We organize workshops, events, and demonstrations to showcase our latest innovations and educate the public and companies about the potential of automation and Industry 4.0.

What other challenges have you addressed with Photoneo’s solutions?

Our primary focus right now is on automating quality inspection. Until recently, we didn’t have any in-house technology capable of 3D scanning, object localization, and robotic path planning. This is where Photoneo’s solutions have been invaluable.

What results have you achieved so far?

We’re currently in the proof-of-concept stage, so it’s too early to discuss specific KPIs. However, what we can say is that Photoneo’s solutions have allowed us to take a significant leap forward in our development. They’ve expanded our product portfolio and brought us closer to realizing our vision of a smart factory.

In which industries do you see the strongest potential for these solutions?

In the short term, we see the greatest potential in automating quality inspection across various industries. Looking further ahead, our focus is on creating a fully integrated Industry 4.0 ecosystem.

Our ultimate goal is to build an AI-driven, centrally controlled system where multiple robotic cells operate as part of a cohesive, interconnected whole. You can think of it as an IoT-enabled smart factory, where a central control unit manages everything—from manufacturing to quality inspection—allowing for seamless, autonomous operations. To achieve this, we need advanced 3D vision and AI-driven robotics to serve as the “eyes,” “brains,” and “arms” of this future factory.