Standardization is the key to the success of machine vision technology. Machine vision standards are commonly developed in the standard working groups and here by dedicated individuals. The EMVA interview series ‘Faces of Machine Vision Standards‘ introduces engineers having joined a standard working group and talk about their motivation to contribute and which experience they take out for their daily work.
EMVA with the CEO emeritus of Image Engineering, Dietmar Wüller, who as convenor is leading the newly formed ISO working group ISO 24942 in which the formerly EMVA-hosted standard EMVA 1288 was converted and is now further developed:
What is your background in machine vision standardization?
In the early 1990s, I pursued my studies in photographic technology at the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, a period that coincided with the emergence of digital imaging. In 1997, I established Image Engineering and developed the first camera test stand. To avoid reinventing the wheel, I joined the ISO committee and built the test stand using standards that were under development at the time. In 2007, as the production of test equipment had become a significant part of Image Engineering’s business operations, I became involved with EMVA 1288, primarily as an observer. At that time, the majority of machine vision camera manufacturers either developed their own test equipment or procured it from the two existing companies that offered solutions in this area. Other imaging applications generally did not provide access to the linear raw data. For this reason, my company did not create its own test solution. With the release of version 4.0, there was a notable increase in interest, particularly among automotive applications that began exploring EMVA 1288.
How is standards work at ISO different from EMVA 1288?
The development within the EMVA-hosted working group was technology-driven. The processes were straightforward, and experts contributed according to their areas of expertise. The release of a new version was contingent upon the approval of the relevant experts. By contrast, developing a standard within an international standards organization such as ISO is a significantly more formal process. The initiation of the project is contingent upon the affirmative response from a designated number of countries that also have to nominate experts. Following the initiation of the project, the development process is characterized by its technical complexity and is managed by the specialists. Once the technical work is complete, the document will undergo a series of review phases. During these phases, the document will be voted on by the participating countries, which will also provide comments on the text. Each country is allotted one vote, irrespective of its size or the number of experts it deploys.
What is your role as convenor in the working group that manages ISO 24942?
The role of the convenor of a working group entails several key responsibilities. These include the coordination of activities, the management of meetings, and the assurance of adherence to formal development aspects. In the current working group, the ISO 24942 project is the sole active initiative. I serve in a dual capacity, assuming the role of both convenor and project leader for the ISO 24942 project. My responsibilities as project leader include coordinating the technical work and leading the editing of the document. I also address comments from experts and later from countries, among other tasks.
What potential do you see for the former EMVA 1288 standard under ISO?
While I don’t anticipate significant technical advancements in the near future, the document will likely gain global recognition. Most countries comply with international standards rather than creating their own, as doing so is the norm in the global business community. This will help to prevent the generation of competing standards in other countries, although it should be noted that this approach does not completely eliminate the risk of such occurrences.
