Photoneo team at Automate 2025

Solving Key Automotive Challenges with 3D Vision-Guided Automation at Automate 2025

By Pavel Soral || May 14, 2025

The automotive industry is on the cusp of a significant leap in automation. For years, the automotive sector has grappled with efficiently and safely handling delicate and complex parts, particularly those stored in densely packed bag racks. 

Traditional automation methods often fall short, requiring multiple stops for scanning and struggling with potential collisions in confined spaces. Today, we’re pleased to showcase how we make key challenges the matter of the past at Automate 2025. 

In-Motion Bag Rack Picking – End-to-End Automated

Bag rack picking demo by Photoneo at Automate 2025

This industry-first, fully automated, collision-free solution tackles one of the most persistent automation challenges in car manufacturing today.

Imagine a typical scenario in an automotive plant: a bag rack with 20 compartments, each holding a thin, potentially fragile part. Conventional scanning systems would need the robot to halt its movement and perform at least 40 individual scans – two per compartment – to accurately estimate gripping points. 

This significantly slows down cycle times and impacts overall production efficiency.

We have a different approach, featuring our breakthrough MotionCam-3D mounted on a robotic arm in a hand-eye configuration. Unlike fixed sensors, this setup allows for virtually unlimited scans from a multitude of angles. As the robotic arm moves, the MotionCam-3D captures a continuous stream of high-quality 3D data, constructing a complete and precise 3D model of the entire scene in real time.

The result cuts cycle time by a factor of 10, directly addressing a critical bottleneck in automotive assembly.

“In this demo, we’re not just picking parts – we’re picking apar the old limitations of robotic vision,” states Daniel Otto, Global Sales and Marketing Lead at Photoneo. “This is the first time you can see a robot solve this kind of complex handling task with real-time 3D Scanning in motion and advanced path planning. It’s a major step forward for smart automation in automotive and beyond.”


Ready to automate your car assembly line, from press shop to general assembly?
Download our latest e-book! 

Free e-book from press shop to general assembly, 3D vision-powered automation of the entire car production line

Stop Defects, Not Production: Robot-Based 3D Inspection and Metrology in Manufacturing with senswork

Imagine ultra-fast, 3D precision metrology directly on your production line. Catch defects before they become errors and costs. Beyond 2D, experience the depth and accuracy of 3D inspection, overhauling quality control in manufacturing.

It’s time to transcend flat analysis and embrace true 3D precision. We present a revolutionary leap: Photoneo’s advanced 3D technology seamlessly merged with senswork’s robotic vision software.

Witness our solution in action: real-time identification of the smallest defects, dents, and deformations with unmatched speed and accuracy. Crucially, precise 3D measurements adhering to strict GD&T standards happen directly within your production flow. This dynamic duo of collaborative robotics and high-fidelity 3D imaging delivers unparalleled inspection capabilities.

This integrated system ensures continuous, comprehensive quality control, drastically cutting errors and boosting efficiency. Experience robust 3D inspection that conquers material and texture challenges where 2D systems falter, performing precise metrology on-line to save you critical time and resources.


Ready to master quality control on your production line?
Download our latest e-book! 

3D Mesh in Seconds: Dual-Laser Digital Twinning in Motion

How quickly and completely can you capture a high-fidelity 3D model? With our advanced 3D scanning solution, complex objects are digitized from all angles in just seconds, generating live meshes without blind spots. 

This leap in performance is driven by our innovative 3D Instant Meshing software seamlessly integrated with the revolutionary MotionCam-3D.

This solution’s capabilities are vividly illustrated when deployed with a dual-camera setup, for example, using two MotionCam-3D S units (featuring blue and red laser technology respectively) on a Techman TM5X 900 collaborative robot. Tasked with twinning a model of a 30cm high Zebra logo on a rotary table, the system excels due to a unique feature: simultaneous scanning. 

By operating red and blue lasers at the same time, it captures comprehensive, high-fidelity 3D data with remarkable speed and precision, setting a new benchmark for industrial 3D scanning.

Defying Motion Blur with High-Speed 3D Scanning

Capturing the true three-dimensional form of rapidly moving objects has persistently challenged existing vision technologies, often hindering the progression of automation in dynamic environments.

Consider a common scenario in advanced manufacturing or logistics: the need to accurately scan an object that is in constant motion, perhaps rotating at high speed or moving along a conveyance system. Conventional 3D scanning systems frequently succumb to motion artifacts under such conditions, producing blurred, distorted, or incomplete data. This inherent limitation has historically been a significant barrier, compelling engineers to implement costly workarounds.

Our approach redefines these boundaries, spearheaded by the MotionCam-3D. This system is engineered not merely to mitigate motion blur, but to eliminate it entirely, even when dealing with objects at very high speeds, such as rapidly spinning industrial components.

The demonstration showcases how our core Parallel Structured Light technology empowers the MotionCam-3D to acquire sharp, dense, and accurate 3D point clouds of the spinning blades in real time, constructing a precise digital twin. You will have the opportunity for direct interaction: adjust the blades’ rotational speed (RPM) using an analog controller and observe how the scan clarity remains steadfast, regardless of the velocity. 

The KUKA iisy robot will dynamically alter its vantage point, triggering scans from multiple perspectives to build a comprehensive 3D model, highlighting the system’s adaptability in complex, changing scenes. You can also adjust the scanning Frames Per Second (FPS) to see the impact on capturing the dynamic activity. To further illustrate the system’s remarkable precision and responsiveness, you can engage with an interactive gaming experience. Here, you will manually trigger scans, attempting to capture a specific designated mark on one of the fast-moving blades within a predefined target area. 

This hands-on interaction directly demonstrates the system’s capability to deliver actionable, high-fidelity data from highly dynamic scenes.

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