Artificial intelligence: medium-sized company IDS relies on the know-how of startups for image processing

With more than 300 employees, the medium-sized company Imaging Development Systems (IDS) in Obersulm creates powerful as well as easy-to-use USB, GigE and 3D cameras for industry, the smart city sector and other branches. Future technologies play an important role for the management of the family-owned company. That is why IDS has placed a special focus on cooperation with startups since 2018. We spoke with Sigrid Rögner, Head of Innovations and Ecosystem, to get exclusive insights into IDS’ latest startup cooperation.

Mrs Rögner, what does your day-to-day work as Head of Innovations and Ecosystem look like?

Actually, there is no daily routine at all. Every day is different. I spend a lot of time at events and a lot of time in discussions – also internally to coordinate which startups we cooperate with.

At the moment, our so-called “AI marketplace” is my most important area of work. This is a platform that we have integrated into our website and on which cooperating startups and other companies have the opportunity to present themselves to our customers. The focus here is on image processing possibilities using artificial intelligence.

How did you come up with this idea?

Image processing and AI are a huge topic right now. Many startups are offering great technical innovations in this area. But it quickly became clear to us that what startups need is access to potential clients. This also benefits our customers, for example from industry or the smart city environment. Because at the moment, many are not even aware of everything that is happening in the AI field and what solutions are now available for their problems.

How do you at IDS benefit from the cooperation with startups?

In joint projects that come about via the AI marketplace, our cameras are used in combination with the AI software of the startups. We also bring startups on board in some cases to optimize processes within our company through innovative solutions.

Can you tell us about a specific example of cooperation?

I would like to talk about our latest cooperation with the startup nyris from Düsseldorf. The company has developed software for identifying spare parts. Everyone knows how time-consuming it can be to search for small individual parts at the hardware store, for example. With the help of nyris’ solution, all you have to do is hold the broken item under a camera and the software will tell you exactly which shelf and box you’ll find it on.

How did you meet the team? What convinced them?

We ran into each other several times at startup events. Even the first conversation with the founder convinced me. The chemistry was just right and the idea is great. In addition, the team already had various references. After the first two or three conversations, it was clear that we should get nyris onto our AI marketplace.

The next challenge now is surely to find joint customers?

Yes, we therefore have a lot planned for the next six months. We’re planning lots of public relations work and would like to organize a speed dating event for startups and representatives of industrial companies, among other things. That’s an unusual format for a traditional medium-sized company. In addition, we are considering organizing an image processing competition for AI.

Are there any other challenges that you notice in your collaboration with startups?

One point is certainly the different corporate culture at startups and established companies. I often act as a moderator between the different worlds here.

For startups, time and capacity are also a big issue, in addition to the financial aspect. Good startups today are also courted by companies and have to decide with whom they want to work.

That’s why it’s important to give them the chance to really get to know us and offer them real added value. It’s also important that after initial discussions, there’s someone who holds the threads together and keeps following up so that ideas and projects can be taken forward together.

Thank you very much for the interview!

Contact

Website: ids-imaging.com

LinkedIn: Sigrid Rögner