Messe Stuttgart says VISION 2026 to beat previous exhibitor records.

The prevailing mood in the machine vision industry is currently one of breakthroughs and big expectations, says the host. “With around 500 exhibitors, VISION 2026 is set to surpass the previous exhibitor record set in 2024. Particularly remarkable is that 30% of these exhibitors will be attending VISION for the first time. Approximately two-thirds are coming from outside Germany, ensuring a strong international presence,” stated Messe Stuttgart, this week. 

“Despite challenging economic conditions, the machine vision industry is once again proving to be robust, innovative and future-driven. For many companies, VISION provides the perfect platform to unveil their technical milestone achievements, set new partnerships in motion and highlight the trends for the coming years,” it added. 

New formats reflect industry themes 

VISION 2026 will offer a “comprehensive program of accompanying events which includes expert discussions, guided tours, startup formats and practical special shows,” to provide plenty of opportunity to discover the latest industry topics, expand on knowledge and expertise, as well as explore new connections. 

One example of this is the new Synthetic Data Symposium. Together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics (ITWM), the focus will be on synthetic data, considered for the first time. Synthetic data is a key element in the training of AI-based machine vision solutions. Experts from the fields of research and industry will be demonstrating how virtual datasets can help to overcome bottlenecks in training data and bring high-quality applications in manufacturing, quality assessment, and automated inspection more quickly to market. Attendees can expect to get a comprehensive overview of one of the most dynamic AI topics. 

At this year’s “VISION Makeathon”, students and young professionals will be working together with exhibitors on real machine vision challenges, to come up with prototypes, new ideas and fresh approaches in a relatively short amount of time. For companies, the VISION Makeathon offers an opportunity to connect with the next generation of talent – and to experience the creativity and speed with which they approach the concept of machine vision. 

Visitors seeking to use VISION 2026 for their own projects will appreciate the VISION Guided Tours, a regular feature of recent editions of the show. Participants are provided with a brief introduction to the key trends and solutions in selected target industries. Whether the focus is on aerospace & defense, automotive & battery manufacturing, or electronics & semiconductors, focused tours include background knowledge, practical application examples, and personal exchanges at the stands. New for 2026, there will be a VDMA AI Tour, which will focus on the dynamic between artificial intelligence and machine vision. 

Messe Stuttgart concluded, “With preparations in full swing, the industry is eagerly awaiting the event. VISION 2026 is promising to deliver an unforgettable three days for the world of machine vision.” Further information about the comprehensive accompanying event programme can be found at www.vision-fair.de