At the upcoming Automation & Robotics conference in Delft, Fizyr will present a new perspective on robotic vision, highlighting its role as the “brain” that enables robots to act intelligently in real-world environments. Rocking Robots sat down with CEO Ken Fleming to discuss the company’s philosophy, technology, and future roadmap.
Looking back at last year’s edition, the event was a breakthrough moment for Fizyr. “It was a huge success and exceeded our expectations,” recalls Fleming. “We wanted to show Fizyr in the context of our partners and integrators, and how flexible the technology is in addressing different use cases. The guests who attended saw Fizyr in a very different light, and that was our objective.”
This year, the company is deliberately shifting its approach. Instead of focusing on finished robotic solutions, the emphasis will be on education and collaboration. “We saw an opportunity to break the solution into components,” says Fleming. “In our morning sessions we will not only present ourselves but also give the floor to partners, including robotics manufacturers, integrators, and camera companies. Together we will discuss what it really takes to collaborate in order to deliver solutions to market. And of course we have some robots as well to demonstrate all this.”
The Role of AI Vision
Central to Fizyr’s message is the role of vision software in robotics. Fleming describes it as the brain of automation: “Vision software’s job is to interpret what it sees through the lens of the cameras. That interpretation is then passed on to the robotic system, which decides how to move, how to grasp, and how to avoid collisions. It’s not just about movement, but about understanding whether an item is heavy, fragile, or even potentially dangerous.”
This interpretation mirrors the human nervous system. “Think of the eyes capturing information, which the brain then processes before sending instructions to the body. That is exactly what vision does in robotics. The cameras gather the data, but the intelligence lies in how that data is analyzed and translated into action.”
The new release of Fizyr’s software, which will be presented at the event, is aimed at making this process more accessible. “We are focused on usability,” Fleming explains. “Integrators face a lot of complexity when deploying vision systems, from neural networks and robotics to grippers, pneumatics, and safety. Our mission is to simplify this, to make it easier for integrators to adopt and scale vision technology.”
Automation Driven by Market Needs
Fleming emphasizes that the need for automation goes beyond technical innovation. It is also shaped by labor shortages and changing workforce dynamics. “We often talk about the dull, dirty, or dangerous jobs,” he says. “These are tasks that people prefer not to do, and in many cases, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find workers willing or able to take them on. The employment market has also shifted since the pandemic, with more people opting for gig work and flexible schedules. For companies that rely on steady, reliable labor, automation is no longer optional, it is necessary.”
This perspective also addresses the often-heard concern that robots replace human jobs. According to Fleming, the opposite is true: “Robots still require management, maintenance, and supervision. The human role shifts from manual execution to oversight. In warehouses, that process has already been underway for years. Automation fills the gaps where labor is unavailable, while people focus on higher-value tasks.”
Collaboration as a Core Strategy
At the heart of Fizyr’s strategy is collaboration with partners across the robotics ecosystem. “Our core competence is software technology: understanding AI, machine learning, and how to merge these with robotics,” Fleming explains. “We don’t build robots ourselves. Instead, we work with partners: integrators, robot manufacturers, camera suppliers. If we all collaborate, solutions can thrive and adoption will grow. But if we operate in silos, we are blocking the market.”
This philosophy extends to how Fizyr certifies technologies for integration. Fleming points out that cameras and robots often evolve independently, with different protocols and APIs. Fizyr acts as the intermediary, validating compatibility and ensuring systems can work together seamlessly. “We leave the choice to integrators and end users. They can select the best robot, the best camera, and know that our vision software will enable them to work together.”
Towards Simplicity: The “Automatic Button”
One of the most striking elements of Fizyr’s roadmap is the ambition to make vision systems as intuitive as possible. Fleming uses a familiar metaphor: “If you think of a DSLR camera, it has countless settings — exposure, speed, zoom, wide angle. Many users do not know how to optimize those settings. But there is always a little button marked ‘automatic.’ You press it, and the camera takes care of the rest. That is the ultimate goal for Fizyr: to create that automatic button for computer vision. We want integrators to be able to deploy vision systems without needing to master every technical detail.”
The release of Fizyr 3.0, to be announced in Delft, marks a step in that direction. According to Fleming, the update is focused on simplifying configuration, improving usability, and reducing the technical burden on system integrators.
A Dual Role in the Robotics Ecosystem
Fizyr sees itself playing two roles in the robotics industry. First, as a software company delivering advanced vision systems. But also as a consultant supporting integrators in the design process. “When partners are developing solutions -whether in food processing, logistics, or e-commerce- they often bring us in early,” Fleming says. “We provide expertise on gripper design, lighting conditions, and the implications for vision software. In that sense, we are not only delivering the technology but also helping shape the solutions that reach the market.”
This approach allows Fizyr to support diverse verticals, from wood and packaging to third-party logistics. “By working across industries, we gain insight into different processes and challenges. That experience strengthens our role as a partner in the supply chain of automation.”
Looking Ahead
Asked about the future, Fleming stresses the importance of both innovation and pragmatism. “There is a lot of attention on humanoids, artificial intelligence, and operating systems. These developments will shape the industry over time. But our focus is on enabling solutions today. The market needs technologies that are ready, usable, and scalable right now. That is where Fizyr wants to make the difference.”
He concludes: “Our strategy is to enable partners and the market to understand what’s available, how to use it, and how to deploy it at scale. The goal is not just to stack boxes or unload trailers, but to continuously explore new applications where vision can create value. That is how robotics will expand and mature as an industry.”
See also
Automatica: Autonomous Dish Sorting Robot for Commercial Kitchens
