Machine vision industry expects turnaround in 2026

"After three years of declining sales, we expect slight growth for the European machine vision industry again in 2026," says Daniel Seiler, Chairman of the VDMA Machine Vision Division at the Vision/VDMA CEO Round Table. "Demand outside Europe has already been positive in 2025, and the European market is following suit with an increasing willingness to invest. Machine vision, especially in combination with robotics and AI, continues to be a key technology for competitive production processes."

Uncertainty dampens business climate

Nevertheless, the European machine vision industry remains in a challenging situation. According to a recent VDMA survey, 2025 ended with a two percent decline in sales compared to the previous year. The reluctance to invest in Europe has had a negative impact on the industry. Geopolitical tensions and unfavorable economic conditions continue to dampen the business climate and demand, especially in Germany. This is also slowing down the European machine vision industry. The VDMA Machine Vision specialist department is cautiously positive for 2026 and expects sales to increase by three percent.

High demand for components

For component manufacturers, the trend reversal came as early as 2025: they recorded sales growth of four percent compared to the previous year. Demand for machine vision systems was significantly weaker (minus six percent).

Sales growth in North America and Asia

The analysis by sales region illustrates the weak development of the European market. Here, the European machine vision industry recorded a decline in sales of six percent. By contrast, growth impetus for "Machine Vision made in Europe" came from North America (plus nine percent) and Asia (plus three percent).

Long-term outlook remains positive

Digitalization, artificial intelligence, smart production and automation are among the key growth drivers worldwide and across all industries - and machine vision plays a key role in this. Companies have long been using machine vision not only in traditional industrial sectors, but also outside the factory environment. Increasing demands on quality and efficiency, the ongoing automation push and the growing spread of AI technologies in and outside of production ensure that the market potential of machine vision remains high.

Despite existing uncertainties and challenges, the VDMA Machine Vision specialist department assumes that this is the case: The European machine vision industry will soon find its way back onto the growth path. The industry is looking forward to 'Vision 2026' and is expecting a high level of interest in the world's leading trade fair for machine vision, which will take place in Stuttgart from October 6 to 8, 2026.