This article reviews poLight ASA’s presence at Automate 2026. It highlights how their tunable optics could advance industrial machine vision and robotics.
With compact, high-performance lenses that adjust focus on the fly, poLight wants to meet the rising demand for faster imaging and richer depth. Smaller form factors are a big deal in factory automation and embedded camera systems, and that’s where these lenses come in.
poLight at Automate 2026: A Focus on Tunable Optics for Industry
At the show, poLight will showcase its variable-focus electrowetting lenses and tunable liquid-crystal lenses. These devices can shift focus quickly and extend depth-of-field, all in a compact package that fits into tight spaces on production lines.
The company says these features lead to faster inspections and more reliable autofocus. They also cut down on mechanical complexity in vision systems, which is a pain point for many engineers.
This technology works for both monochrome and color imaging across visible and near-infrared wavelengths. That flexibility matters in industrial environments where lighting and sensing scenarios can change a lot.
poLight also points out the robustness, low power consumption, and fast response times of its tunable lenses. That’s pretty important for continuous operation in harsh manufacturing settings.
Exhibits should feature live demos of dynamic focusing and multi-plane imaging. These capabilities can eliminate the need for bulky mechanical zooms or moving parts.
The company also mentions integration options that help OEMs and system integrators adopt these lenses more easily. They offer modular optical assemblies and electronic control solutions, which can be a relief for teams trying to simplify new designs.
Technology Spotlight: What Makes the Tunable Optics Stand Out
Key capabilities on display include:
- Dynamic focusing and autofocus replacement that can adapt to changing scene geometry without mechanical adjustment.
- Extended depth-of-field to keep things sharp over a range of distances, so you don’t have to fuss with camera positioning.
- Compact optical assemblies that squeeze into space-constrained machine-vision modules and embedded cameras.
- Multi-plane imaging for faster scene analysis and richer data capture, no bulky optics required.
- Monochrome and color imaging support across visible and near-infrared wavelengths for setups that need some versatility.
From an engineering perspective, these tunable lenses use little power and react quickly. That’s essential for high-throughput inspection or pick-and-place jobs, not to mention autonomous systems on the line.
The rugged design and ability to run nonstop fit right in with the demands of modern factories. Uptime and image quality really do impact yield and quality, so every bit helps.
Applications and Impact: Why Industry Leaders Are Paying Attention
The industrial market for tunable optics keeps expanding. It’s not just imaging anymore—it’s factory automation, inspection systems, robotic vision, and all kinds of embedded camera modules.
poLight positions its technology as a fix for space constraints and the need for rapid, reliable focusing in automated workflows. By ditching mechanical zooms and moving parts, tunable lenses can lower maintenance costs and help systems last longer in tough environments.
Potential use cases include quality control, precision pick-and-place, and autonomous robotic systems where fast, accurate focusing is a must. In these scenarios, tunable optics can speed up cycle times and catch defects at multiple depths.
They also make it possible to build more compact, integrated vision modules that actually fit in tight production-line spaces. That’s a win for anyone trying to squeeze more tech into less room.
Integration, Partnerships, and How to Engage
poLight offers several integration options that aim to make adoption easier for OEMs and system integrators. These options include customized optical modules and electronic control solutions, which teams can tailor for specific machine-vision tasks or robotic platforms.
Automate 2026 is a big move for poLight. They’re clearly looking to expand their presence in the industrial space and speed up the commercialization of tunable-optics products.
At the event, attendees will get hands-on demonstrations. There’s also the chance to chat directly with poLight experts about specs, customization, or even starting a collaboration.
If your organization is checking out next-gen imaging hardware, you might want to swing by the poLight booth. It’s a solid way to see how tunable optics can improve measurement accuracy, speed, and system integration for all sorts of industrial uses.
Here is the source article for this story: poLight ASA to Highlight Tunable Optics Products for Industrial, Machine Vision and Robotics Applications at Automate 2026