Nikon releases new lightweight and compact model of robot vision system

Enabling the building of an agile vision tracking system

November 26, 2025

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation (Nikon) launched a new model of the robot vision system, that specializes in 2D vision tracking, enabling high-speed, flexible movement of robotic arms. By adopting Nikon's ultra-compact machine vision camera, LuFact, the sensor (camera) attached to the robot arm achieves a significant reduction in weight and size (weight: 25.5 g, size: 20 x 20 x 43.2 mm)^*1, while possessing high-speed image processing capabilities.
The lightweight and compact housing expands the range of workpieces that can be handled and the robot hands that can be used and allows for greater flexibility in sensor (camera) mounting positions, so now it is possible to build an agile vision tracking system in production lines with a wide range of workpieces.

• *1A lens is separately required to use the product.

Overview of release

Model number	NSE-L-1
Product configuration	• Sensor (camera) (AH-020MR) • I/F conversion unit (A1000-G) • Engine (control PC) • Calibration board
Release date	October 2025

Background of development

At production sites in various industries including the automotive industry, there is a need to respond to multiproduct variable-volume production. Additionally, with the current serious labor shortage, there is a strong demand for automation of simple tasks by robots that can perform tasks quickly and accurately.
To meet these needs, Nikon began offering its robot vision system in October 2024.
Especially in production lines that use conveyors and other transport equipment, there is a particularly high demand for automation and labor-saving for diversified workpiece picking and assembly operations.
In line with this, Nikon has developed a new model achieving lightweight and compact size and specializing in the "vision tracking" function, which executes picking and assembly while smoothly following workpieces running on a conveyor.
With the robot vision system model released last year, two types of sensors, 2D and 3D, are incorporated and two applications are provided: "vision tracking", which picks and assembles workpieces while smoothly tracking objects without stopping the transport equipment, and "bin picking", which recognizes the position of, and removes, workpieces randomly stacked in a box. On the other hand, the system is capable of not only 2D, but also advanced 3D tracking, so a new product dedicated to 2D vision tracking has been added to the product range to be optimized for production lines that do not require 3D support.

Main features

Lightweight and compact size

Lightweight and compact size have been achieved by adopting Nikon's LuFact ultra-compact industrial camera. The lightweight and compact housing expands the range of workpieces that can be handled and the robot hands that can be used. It will also be possible to use small, cost-effective robots without selecting an expensive and large high-load capacity robot.
Furthermore, the compact housing reduces restrictions on the robot arm's movement path and enables movement along more efficient routes. Additionally, it increases the freedom of the sensor (camera) attachment position, thus making customization easier to suit various environments.

Achieving vision tracking with high-speed image processing

As this product has high-speed image processing capability while achieving lightweight and compact size, it instantly determines the status of a workpiece and enables smooth vision tracking. It can be used at the production site where bolts are inserted and tightened to workpieces on a conveyor without stopping the line, for example. Even if there is a sudden change in the conveyor speed or the position or orientation of the workpiece, this product makes corrections in real time and makes it possible to continue stable operation. This enables continuous workflow without stopping transport equipment as was conventionally done.

No synchronization work and reduced setup time

As the product can instantly determine the status of a workpiece and automatically follow, pick, and assemble it with the high-speed image processing, connection and teaching of robots and transport equipment for synchronization work are not required. Therefore, the time and effort required for setup can be reduced and smooth introduction into production sites is made possible.

About the robot vision system

The robot vision system is configured with a sensor (camera) and an engine (control PC), which achieves high-speed and flexible operation of the robot arm by giving the robot arm dynamic vision and brain functions. It can instantly determine the status of a workpiece and operates with high-speed image processing that Nikon cultivated through camera product development.

Features of LuFact

LuFact is Nikon's industrial camera that achieves both ultra-compactness and light weight by separating the sensor that takes photos and the unit that performs image processing.

Main specifications

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• *A lens, a light, and a cable are sold separately. Please prepare these items as needed.

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The information is current as of the date of publication. It is subject to change without notice.

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