The future’s hyperspectral Specim Spectral Imaging

thE FuturE’s hypErspEctral

As a world-leading authority on the development and manufacture of hyperspectral instruments, Finland’s Specim Spectral Imaging Ltd is dedicated to ‘making the invisible visible’. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to sales and marketing director Mikko Kannelsuo to learn more.

Located in Oulu, Finland and with a truly global client base, worldleading hyperspectral instruments manufacturer Specim Spectral Imaging Ltd is truly at the forefront of this fast-moving industry. Offering the widest selection of hyperspectral cameras anywhere in the world, Specim’s cameras and systems are globally respected.

Established in the mid-1990s, Specim has developed rapidly, in line with this extraordinary technology that continues to embrace innovation as fast as it can be created. The company grew on the back of many years of research from the VTT Research Centre, where the Specim founders designed the first professional hyperspectral spectrographs and imagers. Today, the company continues to offer in-depth hyperspectral knowledge and extensive expertise in optical engineering in order to deliver cameras and systems that are the very height of precision, durability and functionality. Dominating the scene

Sales and marketing director Mikko Kannelsuo spoke to Industry Europe to explain how Specim’s clear dominance of the global hyperspectral imaging sector is driven by the its desire to remain ‘the technological leader’ across its active markets. Mr Kannelsuo said, “Specim cameras are unmatched. With our cameras, our customers can make machines perform on a different level compared to a traditional RGB technology. It really is incredible to be part of something so innovative. There are so many different applications for hyperspectral imaging, with more applications being evident all the time.”

Mr Kannelsuo continued, “In the past four or five years, the hyperspectral imaging industry has grown faster than ever before; it’s been boosted as we’re seeing the perfect balance between enough years of experience coupled with fast-moving technologi-

cal advancements. So that, added to the identification of new applications, means this really is a wonderful time for Specim.”

The hyperspectral imaging cameras and systems Specim is creating are now faster, more effective, more reliable and more affordable than ever before. Mr Kannelsuo explained, “Yes, in the past five years the cameras have become smaller and it means they can be integrated into different interfaces. This has opened up a new world of possibilities for us and our customers and potential customers; we offer the best solutions in hyperspectral imaging for the industry’s needs.”

The name’s Specim

The Specim product portfolio reads like a paragraph of a James Bond novel. With future-focused products that have been developed by harnessing the very latest in innovative technology from this

already mega-futuristic industry, Specim’s range is broken down into Airborne, Geology, Industry and Spectrograph categories.

Many world-class research, business and defence organisations rely on Specim. A large percentage of its customers are major global OEMs, who in turn have the ability to integrate the Specim cameras into their products. Mr Kannelsuo explained, “By choosing Specim hyperspectral cameras to integrate into their products, global OEMs can offer a far greater level of quality and information to their end users. And with more and more applications becoming apparent – such as detecting mould on food, for example – it is becoming clear that our products are really adding value and saving money for our customers.”

Imagine imaging

The way that Specim works with its customers is also a key element in its success. Mr Kannelsuo said, “We have the ability to listen to our customers to get the exact information about their products, the challenges they’re facing, the issues they want to resolve – the issues they don’t even know we’re able to resolve. When you combine this information, this intense knowledge of their product and match it with our passion for the exciting world of hyperspectral imaging, we end up creating solutions they didn’t even know were possible.”

With over 90 per cent of Specim’s products already being globally exported, the company’s main markets are Europe, North America, China and Asia Pacific. In the short term future, Specim will be focused on growing in China, Japan and South Korea. Mr Kannelsuo concluded, “We are strategically growing in these areas as they are a very good fit for our skills and experience. We have started a cooperation with a Japanese company which has helped us reach a large audience very quickly and we expect that to continue. We also expect to see a continued rapid boom in robotics cameras, particularly of a very small size, that can be integrated into ever-smaller products. Specim is certainly part of the future and I’m more than excited to share that.”