Keyence vs SICK AG: Vision & 3D perception compared

November 2026 edition · assessment by Frontier Tech Intelligence

Keyence ranks 12 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 91; SICK AG ranks 38 with 84. Keyence is ahead on progress, positioning and firepower. Level on deployment, production, commercials, technology and leverage. Keyence is based in Osaka, Japan, SICK AG in Waldkirch, Germany. Keyence: Public. SICK AG: Established. Keyence is named in 15 signals and SICK AG in 4.

Keyence →

Osaka, Osaka, Japan · Robotics · Sensing / Vision & 3D perception · Public · keyence.com

Keyence supplies industrial automation equipment, including PLCs, servo systems, programming software and multi-axis commissioning tools used in automated production and robotic manufacturing environments.

Robotics 100 · rank 12 · score 91

Scores, Robotics (of 10)

Deployment10
Production10
Commercials10
Progress7
Technology8
Positioning10
Firepower10
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Keyence is a Japanese machine-vision and sensor giant (TSE:6861, ~$6.5B revenue, famously >50% operating margins) whose CV-X and RB series 3D vision serve bin picking, sold through a direct-sales consultative model across a broad sensing and inspection catalog. It is the profitability benchmark of the sensing layer, named across every vision-guided-robotics roundup, with momentum scored low only on the absence of dated 2026 events this pass, not weakness. The current revenue marker is dated.

Latest signals

  • Keyence shares rebounded in Tokyo trading.Moomoo
  • Keyence released a generative AI assistant for technical product inquiries.Automation News Japan
  • Keyence launched the AM-1000 series automated desktop 3D measuring machine.Automation News Japan

15 signals name Keyence.

Facts, with sources

  • Keyence enhanced KV STUDIO with reusable programming assets and automated multi-axis commissioning.Automation News Japan
  • Keyence introduced Universal Library presets for equipment from more than 18 manufacturers.Automation News Japan
  • Keyence expanded the SV3 servo system with faster multi-axis motion control and broader actuator connectivity.Automation News Japan

7 facts on file.

SICK AG →

Waldkirch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany · Robotics · Sensing / Vision & 3D perception · Established · sick.com

SICK sells PLB software for multi-bin picking, using 3D vision with robot-mounted cameras to help industrial robots identify and pick parts.

Robotics 100 · rank 38 · score 84

Scores, Robotics (of 10)

Deployment10
Production10
Commercials10
Progress6
Technology8
Positioning8
Firepower8
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

SICK AG is a German sensing giant (EUR 2.1B in 2024) making sensors across factory, logistics, and process automation, with 11,804 employees, though its 2024 revenue dipped below 2023 (a current-year confirmation flag). It announced a Malaysia manufacturing hub and a Knapp partnership, and launched its first Eve-powered FMCW sensor with Aeva (which named it 2026 Supplier of the Year). It is family/foundation-owned, disclosing annual figures only.

Latest signals

  • SICK demonstrated multi-bin picking with its PLB software and a robot-mounted Zivid camera.Zivid
  • NVIDIA assembled a Halos ecosystem spanning real-time software, embedded systems, sensors, semiconductors, and industrial applications.The Robot Report
  • Innok Robotics deploys InnokCockpit-powered mobile robots for industrial logistics and transport.Hesai

4 signals name SICK AG.

Facts, with sources

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3 facts on file.

More comparisons

Questions this page answers

Keyence or SICK AG: which is ahead in robotics?

Keyence ranks 12 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 91; SICK AG ranks 38 with 84. Keyence is ahead on progress, positioning and firepower. Level on deployment, production, commercials, technology and leverage. Keyence is based in Osaka, Japan, SICK AG in Waldkirch, Germany. Keyence: Public. SICK AG: Established. Keyence is named in 15 signals and SICK AG in 4.

How do Keyence and SICK AG compare?

Keyence ranks 12 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 91; SICK AG ranks 38 with 84. Keyence is ahead on progress, positioning and firepower. Level on deployment, production, commercials, technology and leverage. Keyence is based in Osaka, Japan, SICK AG in Waldkirch, Germany. Keyence: Public. SICK AG: Established. Keyence is named in 15 signals and SICK AG in 4. Both company files carry the scores on eight measures, the facts with sources and the latest signals.

Every comparison here comes from the same files members use every day.

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