Tor-Björn Johansson on machine vision: evolution, misconceptions, and the future
- Emile Derache
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
At Heliovision, everything revolves around innovation and custom solutions in machine vision. Tor-Björn, CTO of Heliovision, has built an impressive career in the field and shares his insights on the evolution of vision technology, common misconceptions, and how Heliovision sets itself apart.
A lifetime of Technology and Innovation
Tor-Björn grew up in Sweden and gained hands-on experience in the industry early on. His technical background—first as an industrial engineer and later as a civil engineer—combined with love, eventually brought him to Belgium. In 2019, he co-founded Heliovision. What drives him? The freedom to apply knowledge and create solutions that truly make an impact.
Machine vision: A rapid evolution
Over the past 25 years, machine vision has undergone tremendous development. Tor describes how, starting around 2000, the shift from CCD to CMOS sensors began, enabling faster and more affordable image processing. From 2006 onwards, 3D cameras and sensors became available for industrial use, but due to their complexity, it took nearly a decade before companies began using them effectively.
It wasn’t until around 2015–2020 that 3D vision became truly practical, with technologies like Time-of-Flight and laser profilers becoming increasingly fast and accurate. Another major shift was the rise of deep learning and AI within machine vision. Where traditional systems relied on fixed algorithms, AI introduced the possibility of more flexible, self-learning systems.
However, this also brings new challenges, such as the need to properly train and validate AI models.
Common misconceptions about machine vision
One of the biggest misconceptions Tor often had to correct during the rise of smartphones was that managers believed smartphone cameras were suitable for industrial vision applications. "They would take pictures with their phones and expect machine vision to work just as easily," he says. "But industrial applications require specific lighting and hardware to deliver reliable results."
Additionally, there's the belief that AI and neural networks can solve everything right away. Although AI has become more commonly used since 2020, it takes time and expertise to properly train models. "AI is powerful, but it's not a magic solution that works perfectly right from the start," Tor emphasizes.
What makes Heliovision unique?
With experience at companies such as Philips Lighting, Barco Vision, and KLA-Tencor, Tor saw how machine vision is applied across different sectors. At Heliovision, they take a unique approach:
Custom solutions: Proprietary software libraries and hardware solutions that are fully tailored to the client.
Flexible hardware options: Not a fixed system, but technology made to measure.
Hands-on guidance: Clients receive not only software but also a thorough analysis of their processes through proof-of-concepts and advanced imaging.
Sustainability and Innovation
Sustainability in machine vision means developing more efficient systems that consume less energy and reduce waste for Heliovision. “We focus heavily on innovative imaging, such as unique combinations of light and linescan technology, which is now paying off,” says Tor.
“At Heliovision, we hold innovation in high regard,” Tor adds. The proprietary software libraries ensure that information is centralized in one place, leading to a faster and more efficient workflow.
The future of Heliovision
Tor sees his role at Heliovision evolving in the coming years. “I want to focus more on passing on my knowledge and on education, so the next generation of engineers can continue to develop this technology.” He remains driven to take Heliovision to new heights.
One of the most exciting projects: Lipstick inspection at Estée Lauder
One of the most challenging and innovative projects Tor worked on was an inspection system for lipsticks at Estée Lauder. “We had to capture both the cylinder and the angled edge of the lipsticks perfectly,” he explains. “That required a unique mechanical solution, and it’s fantastic to see how we successfully completed that project.”
Want to learn more about how machine vision can help your business? Get in touch with Heliovision and explore the possibilities!