MVTec Software GmbH will release MERLIC 26.10 on October 15, 2026, introducing a redesigned communication architecture, secure-by-default networking, SPDX software bills of materials, and several usability improvements for industrial machine vision applications.
MVTec Software GmbH is preparing the latest version of its machine vision framework, with MVTec MERLIC 26.10 scheduled for release on October 15, 2026.
The new release expands MERLIC beyond machine vision application development, with MVTec placing greater emphasis on cybersecurity, system integration and day-to-day usability in connected production environments.
MERLIC is designed to allow users to create machine vision applications without conventional programming and deploy them in production. Version 26.10 adds changes aimed at making those applications easier to connect, configure, secure and maintain.
MERLIC 26.10 Strengthens Industrial Cybersecurity
One of the central changes in MERLIC 26.10 is a redesigned communication architecture.
MVTec has adopted a secure-by-default approach in which communication is initially restricted to local connections. Remote connections are disabled by default and must be explicitly enabled by the user.
When remote access is required, connections can be protected using Transport Layer Security (TLS).
The architecture uses WebSockets for remote communication, allowing multiple MERLIC services and instances to share a single port through separate WebSocket endpoints. This can reduce the number of ports required in an industrial network and simplify firewall configuration.
For local communication, MERLIC uses Unix-domain sockets (UDS). This removes the need for network stack management and port allocation for local connections, while access can be controlled through operating system file permissions.
According to MVTec, the redesigned architecture also creates a foundation for future integration of MERLIC applications into web-based environments.
New MERLIC Connection Dialog Simplifies Multi-System Setup
Industrial production environments can contain multiple MERLIC instances supporting different machine vision applications.
MERLIC 26.10 introduces a redesigned connection dialog in MERLIC Frontend and MERLIC RTE Setup to make connecting to those systems easier.
Users can select both the host and the specific MERLIC instance they want to access. Previously connected hosts are also retained for selection.
Graphical indicators provide information about system availability and the security level required for a connection.
For production engineers and system integrators working with multiple machine vision installations, the changes are intended to make configuration more transparent while reducing the risk of selecting or configuring the wrong system.
Enhanced Tool Grouping in MERLIC
MERLIC 26.10 also changes how users work with grouped tools inside an MVApp.
Tool groups can be used to structure more complex Tool Flows. In the new version, these groups can be opened in their own Tool Flow tab, allowing users to inspect the tools contained within them and adjust individual parameters without first breaking apart the group.
The group interface can also be configured.
Parameters and results from grouped tools can be exposed through the group interface. These can then be configured or connected to widgets in the Frontend Designer.
This allows developers to modify configurations and adapt frontend designs while keeping existing tool groups intact.
For larger machine vision applications, the approach can reduce unnecessary restructuring during development.
SPDX Software Bills of Materials Added to MERLIC
Another important addition is the introduction of Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) for most MERLIC components.
MVTec will provide the SBOMs in the standardized SPDX format, giving users machine-readable information about software components, dependencies, versions, provenance and licenses.
SBOMs are increasingly important in industrial software environments because manufacturers need greater visibility into the components that make up software deployed on production systems.
The information can also be checked against vulnerability databases containing known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs).
For manufacturers operating formal cybersecurity and compliance processes, the addition of SBOMs provides information that can be incorporated into existing software security and vulnerability management workflows.
MERLIC Simplifies MVApp Recipe Management
MVTec has also made changes to the way MVApps can be handled in MERLIC RTE mode.
For most use cases, MVApps can now be imported directly into recipe management and used as virtual recipes.
This removes the requirement to create separate MERLIC recipes when additional parameterization or a specific acquisition sequence is not needed.
Existing MERLIC recipes remain available for applications requiring multiple predefined MVApp parameterizations or specific acquisition sequences.
The change is intended to reduce setup and maintenance work for simpler process integration scenarios.
Improved ROI Visualization
MERLIC 26.10 also improves the visualization of regions of interest (ROIs) in MERLIC Creator and MERLIC Frontend.
When an ROI is selected, relevant measurements are displayed directly. Depending on the ROI type, this can include:
- Width
- Height
- Position
- Angle
- Radius
Displaying these values directly within the development and inspection environment gives users more immediate information when configuring machine vision applications.
For applications involving measurement, positioning or inspection regions, the change can make ROI configuration easier to understand without requiring users to look elsewhere for the relevant parameters.
What MERLIC 26.10 Means for Machine Vision Integration
The changes in MERLIC 26.10 reflect a broader shift in industrial machine vision software.
Machine vision applications increasingly operate as part of connected production systems rather than as isolated inspection tools. That creates additional requirements around networking, cybersecurity, software dependencies and integration with production infrastructure.
MVTec’s latest release addresses several of these areas at the software framework level.
The secure-by-default communication model is particularly relevant for connected manufacturing environments, while the introduction of SPDX SBOMs provides additional visibility into the software components deployed alongside production applications.
At the application-development level, improved tool grouping, recipe handling and ROI visualization focus on reducing the complexity of everyday engineering tasks.
When Is MVTec MERLIC 26.10 Available?
MVTec MERLIC 26.10 is scheduled for release on October 15, 2026.
The release combines cybersecurity changes with updates intended to simplify application development, production integration and system management.
For manufacturers already using MERLIC, the new communication architecture and SBOM capabilities could be particularly relevant when reviewing cybersecurity and software-management requirements for connected machine vision systems.
MTN Analysis
MERLIC 26.10 is notable because the update is not focused solely on adding another machine vision capability.
MVTec is addressing the infrastructure surrounding machine vision applications, particularly the way those applications communicate and are managed inside production environments.
The secure-by-default architecture is a significant part of that direction. As machine vision systems become increasingly connected to factory networks, limiting remote access by default and providing explicit mechanisms for secure connections becomes increasingly relevant.
The SBOM addition is also important for industrial users. Machine builders and manufacturers are under growing pressure to understand the software components running inside production equipment, particularly when those systems are connected to wider IT and OT networks.
At the same time, MVTec has not neglected application development. Improvements to grouping, recipe management and ROI visualization target the practical engineering work required to build and maintain machine vision applications.
The overall direction suggests that machine vision software is becoming less of a standalone inspection component and more of an integrated part of the industrial software stack.
FAQs
What is MVTec MERLIC?
MVTec MERLIC is a machine vision software framework that allows users to create and deploy machine vision applications without conventional programming.
When will MERLIC 26.10 be released?
MVTec has announced that MERLIC 26.10 will be available starting October 15, 2026.
What is new in MERLIC 26.10?
Key additions include a redesigned communication architecture, secure-by-default networking, TLS support for remote connections, WebSocket-based remote communication, Unix-domain sockets for local communication, a redesigned connection dialog, enhanced tool grouping, SPDX software bills of materials, simplified MVApp recipe management and improved ROI visualization.
Does MERLIC 26.10 support secure remote connections?
Yes. Remote connections are disabled by default, but users can explicitly enable them and protect remote communication using TLS.
What are SBOMs in MERLIC 26.10?
Software Bills of Materials provide machine-readable information about the software components contained in a product. MERLIC 26.10 provides SBOMs for most components in the standardized SPDX format.
What is the purpose of the new MERLIC communication architecture?
The redesigned architecture is intended to make communication between MERLIC components more secure and easier to configure, particularly when multiple MERLIC services or instances operate within connected production environments.
Can multiple MERLIC instances use the same network port?
Yes. Remote MERLIC communication uses WebSockets, allowing multiple services and instances to share a port through separate WebSocket endpoints.
What industries use MVTec machine vision software?
MVTec software is used across industries including semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, battery production, agriculture and food, and logistics. Applications include surface inspection, optical quality control, robot guidance, identification, measurement and classification.
Further Reading
For more information about MERLIC and MVTec’s machine vision software portfolio, visit the official MVTec website.
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Source: MVTec Software GmbH
