MVTec HALCON ctrlX OS integration is taking a step forward through a new collaboration between MVTec, Bosch Rexroth and Bosch Manufacturing Solutions (BMG). The partnership makes HALCON machine vision procedures available within Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX OS environment through Nexeed Integrated Vision, aiming to reduce programming effort and simplify the connection between image processing and industrial automation.
For machine builders and system integrators, developing a machine vision application is only part of the challenge. Connecting it to industrial controls, configuring interfaces and ensuring reliable communication can require significant additional engineering work.
The partnership, announced on 5 November 2026, aims to address that problem by providing a defined connection between HALCON and the ctrlX OS automation environment.
The announcement also comes ahead of another important development for MVTec. HALCON 26.11 is scheduled to launch on 18 November 2026, bringing improvements to AI object detection, shape matching, 3D vision and software development.
MVTec will also exhibit at SPS 2026 in Nuremberg, from 24 to 26 November, demonstrating how digital twins can support machine vision development before physical installation.
Together, the developments show how MVTec is addressing three practical areas of industrial machine vision: integration, software capabilities and virtual testing.
How Does MVTec HALCON ctrlX OS Integration Work?
The collaboration brings together three companies with different roles in industrial automation.
MVTec Software provides HALCON, its machine vision software used for quality inspection, component identification, dimensional measurement, robot guidance and deep learning applications.
Bosch Manufacturing Solutions (BMG) provides Nexeed Integrated Vision, an application that makes HALCON procedures available within ctrlX OS and establishes the connection between machine vision and industrial control technology.
Bosch Rexroth provides ctrlX OS, the Linux-based operating environment that forms the software foundation of the ctrlX CORE control platform. The operating system is also available independently of specific hardware.
As part of the collaboration, MVTec and BMG are joining the ctrlX World partner ecosystem.
The aim is to make machine vision functionality easier to combine with other automation applications on a common software platform.
For example, a manufacturer developing an automated inspection station could use HALCON to identify a component or evaluate its quality, while Nexeed Integrated Vision provides the connection to the machine’s control environment.
Instead of developing every connection between image processing and industrial controls separately, system integrators can work with the integration architecture provided through the partnership.
This could simplify development and commissioning, particularly for manufacturers already using Bosch Rexroth automation technology.
However, the companies have not published independent performance comparisons or quantified reductions in integration time.
Why Nexeed Integrated Vision Matters for Machine Builders
One of the biggest challenges in industrial machine vision is integrating image processing into the wider automation system.
A vision application may already be capable of identifying components, detecting defects or performing measurements, but its results still need to reach the equipment responsible for production decisions.
That connection can involve considerable interface configuration and programming.
BMG’s Nexeed Integrated Vision is designed to simplify this process by providing a defined connection between HALCON procedures and industrial control technology within ctrlX OS.
According to Marc Bindel, Head of Nexeed Automation at Bosch Manufacturing Solutions, the integration is intended to address the programming effort associated with connecting machine vision to control systems.
BMG says that making HALCON procedures available within ctrlX OS can reduce programming effort, allowing system integrators to concentrate more on developing and optimising their applications.
For manufacturers, the potential benefit is a simpler route to combining image processing with other machine functions.
This could be relevant to automated inspection, component identification and production systems where vision results influence subsequent machine operations.
The extent of any time or cost savings will depend on the existing automation architecture and the complexity of the application.
HALCON 26.11 Launches on 18 November With New AI and 3D Vision Features
Alongside the integration partnership, MVTec is preparing the next release of its machine vision software.
HALCON 26.11 is scheduled for release on 18 November 2026, bringing improvements to traditional image processing, AI-based inspection and software development.
One of the new features is automatic contour optimisation for slightly deformable objects.
This allows local variations in object shape to be considered during model creation, reducing the need for manual contour editing.
For manufacturers inspecting components with minor geometric variations, this could make shape-based matching easier to configure.
The release also introduces improvements to AI object detection, including oriented bounding boxes and per-class confidence thresholds.
These additions provide developers with more control over how objects are located and classified within an image.
Another development concerns deep learning inference on edge hardware.
The new ONNX Runtime AI² interface is designed to support more efficient AI processing on Linux-based devices using 64-bit Arm architecture.
HALCON 26.11 also introduces improvements to 3D processing, particularly when objects are partially visible or measurement data contains noise.
Engineers can incorporate known object properties, including size or orientation, when fitting geometric shapes.
New Development Tools and Security Improvements
The release also brings changes to software development and cybersecurity.
MVTec is introducing improved vulnerability-handling processes and Software Bills of Materials, providing greater transparency about the software components used in machine vision applications.
These developments are relevant to manufacturers preparing for cybersecurity requirements, including the EU Cyber Resilience Act.
HALCON 26.11 also includes an Early-Adopter version of HDevelopEVO 26.11.
New capabilities include an integrated Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, expanded HALCON-specific knowledge for AI assistants, multithreading support in the HALCON Script Engine and Runtime Graphics Windows.
These additions are intended to support application development and emerging AI-assisted engineering workflows.
MVTec will introduce the release through a technical webinar on 18 November, including demonstrations and a live Q&A session.
For manufacturers considering the ctrlX OS integration, one important question remains: whether every HALCON 26.11 feature will be supported immediately through Nexeed Integrated Vision.
The companies have not publicly confirmed a complete compatibility matrix for the new release.
What Should Manufacturers Check Before Adopting the Integration?
The collaboration is particularly relevant to machine builders, automation manufacturers and system integrators developing equipment that combines industrial controls with image-based inspection.
Potential applications include quality inspection, component identification, measurement and robot guidance.
For companies already using ctrlX OS, Nexeed Integrated Vision could provide a more direct route to deploying HALCON-based applications.
However, manufacturers should confirm which ctrlX OS versions, controller configurations, camera interfaces and HALCON releases are supported.
Processing performance is another important consideration.
Applications involving multiple cameras, high-resolution images or demanding cycle times may require specific hardware configurations.
The ability to run a vision procedure within an automation environment does not automatically establish that every application will meet its required inspection speed.
Licensing and maintenance also need to be considered.
The partnership announcement does not disclose complete pricing, supported hardware configurations or independently measured integration savings.
Before investing, buyers should request technical compatibility information and evaluate the solution using their own inspection requirements.
SPS 2026: MVTec Demonstrates Machine Vision and Digital Twins
MVTec will also use SPS 2026 to demonstrate how machine vision can work with digital twins to support earlier application development and testing.
Working with technology partner machineering, the company has developed a demonstration that simulates cameras, lenses, lighting and inspection objects.
Images generated within the virtual environment can then be processed using HALCON.
This allows engineers to investigate how changes in camera positioning, lighting or other parameters affect image processing before the physical inspection system is installed.
For manufacturers developing new production equipment, virtual testing could help identify potential problems earlier in the engineering process.
However, simulated results still need to be validated against real production conditions, including lighting variation, camera calibration and component tolerances.
The demonstration is separate from the Nexeed Integrated Vision collaboration. MVTec has not announced a single validated workflow combining the digital twin demonstration with the ctrlX OS integration.
Visitors can see MVTec at SPS 2026 in Nuremberg, from 24 to 26 November, in Hall 5, Booth 5-137.
Why It Matters: Bringing Machine Vision Closer to Industrial Automation
Machine vision is increasingly used for tasks that extend beyond detecting defects or identifying components.
Image-processing results can also influence how machines operate, how components are handled and how automated production processes respond to changing conditions.
That makes integration with industrial control technology an important part of deploying machine vision successfully.
The collaboration between MVTec, Bosch Rexroth and BMG addresses this challenge by providing a more structured connection between HALCON and ctrlX OS.
At the same time, HALCON 26.11 expands the software’s capabilities, while MVTec’s SPS demonstration explores how digital twins could support earlier application development.
For manufacturers, the practical question is whether these technologies can reduce engineering complexity while maintaining the reliability and performance required in production.
MTN Analysis: Integration Is the Bigger Story
The most interesting aspect of MVTec’s latest announcements is not simply the addition of new machine vision features.
It is the effort to make machine vision easier to deploy within industrial automation.
HALCON already provides an extensive range of image-processing technologies. For many machine builders, the challenge is connecting those capabilities to the wider production system without creating unnecessary programming and maintenance work.
The collaboration with Bosch Rexroth and BMG addresses that challenge directly.
Nexeed Integrated Vision could provide a more consistent route for deploying HALCON procedures within ctrlX OS-based machines, particularly where manufacturers are already using Bosch Rexroth control technology.
The upcoming HALCON 26.11 release adds useful software capabilities, while the digital twin demonstration at SPS explores how engineers might test inspection applications earlier in the development process.
However, these developments should not yet be treated as proof of lower engineering costs or faster commissioning.
We would want to see practical deployment results showing how much programming effort is saved, how the integration performs under production workloads and how easily applications can be maintained or upgraded.
For buyers, those measurements will matter more than the partnership announcement itself.
FAQ
What does the MVTec and Bosch Rexroth collaboration provide?
The collaboration makes HALCON machine vision procedures available within Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX OS environment through BMG’s Nexeed Integrated Vision application. Its purpose is to simplify the connection between image processing and industrial automation.
Does Nexeed Integrated Vision replace HALCON?
No. HALCON provides the machine vision functionality, while Nexeed Integrated Vision connects HALCON procedures to the ctrlX OS automation environment.
When will HALCON 26.11 be available?
MVTec has scheduled HALCON 26.11 for release on 18 November 2026. The update introduces improvements to AI object detection, shape matching, 3D vision, software development and security.
Will HALCON 26.11 work with Nexeed Integrated Vision?
The partnership provides a route for using HALCON procedures within ctrlX OS. However, the companies have not publicly confirmed support for every HALCON 26.11 feature or deployment configuration.
What will MVTec demonstrate at SPS 2026?
MVTec will demonstrate how machine vision and digital twins can work together, including virtual simulation of cameras, lenses, lighting and inspection objects. Visitors can find the company in Hall 5, Booth 5-137.
How much does the integrated solution cost?
Complete pricing has not been publicly disclosed. Manufacturers should request quotations covering software licensing, hardware, integration, maintenance and technical support.
Further Reading
For more information about the collaboration and upcoming software release, see the official MVTec announcements:
MVTec, BMG and Bosch Rexroth Simplify Machine Vision on ctrlX OS
HALCON 26.11: New Machine Vision Features
MVTec Demonstrates Machine Vision and Digital Twins at SPS 2026
For more MTN coverage of MVTec’s machine vision technology:
MVTec MERLIC AI Machine Vision Moves From Endress+Hauser Pilot to Global Assembly Rollout
MVTec AI Vision Solver Brings AI Agents Into Machine Vision Development
