Insensiv

What Insensiv does

Insensiv GmbH, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany, is a mid-sized OEM supplier specializing in custom image processing solutions built on self-developed intelligent camera systems. The company's core business is the design, development, and manufacture of recognition technology — including reading units (Ausleseeinheiten), bottle and crate shape recognition, 360° inline inspection, and quality assurance units compliant with the German DPG deposit specification — that is embedded into reverse vending machines (RVMs) produced by European OEMs. The company explicitly positions itself as a behind-the-scenes technology provider, with Insensiv's brand absent from the end products. Beyond RVM components, Insensiv has built a portfolio of complete product systems, most notably the fully automated Gasflaschen-Automat (GTA) for 24/7 propane cylinder exchange, mobile HEPA air purifiers (Silent Pro 1500, Comfort 800), and a tethered UAV platform (PodCopter) with associated flight control assistance systems. Diversified end applications include reusable coffee cup return machines (CCVM), agricultural egg-counting systems (EggCam), the AI-supported BIRD.IFICATION anti-collision system for wind turbines, and the String Shot Launcher drone-defense system for airports.

Insensiv operates on a B2B OEM component model supplemented by custom development services and selective direct sales of complete hardware systems to enterprise end customers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year contract structures typical of embedded-supplier relationships. The go-to-market relies heavily on trade fair presence (EuroShop 2023 and 2026, HUSUM WIND 2025, euvend & coffeena 2019, BHB Kongress 2022), regional industry networks (InnoZent OWL, IHK Ostwestfalen, Smart Factory OWL), and direct enterprise sales for installed systems such as the 60+ German DIY-retail GTA sites and the Globus Luxembourg deployment. The company reports approximately 100 employees, has been certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 by TÜV Hessen, and has been recognized twice as a Focus Business Wachstumschampion (2020 and 2021) with reported average annual revenue growth of 34–36%. In 2025 it founded the wholly-owned subsidiary 'insensiv develop' to pursue new technology ventures and joint ventures separately from the core RVM business, and is currently expanding into Austria (supporting the January 2025 DRS deposit system launch) and Luxembourg as its first international markets.

Name

Insensiv

Legal name

insensiv GmbH

Website

https://insensiv.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Insensiv is a Bielefeld-based OEM supplier of custom image processing systems built on proprietary intelligent cameras, serving reverse vending machine manufacturers across Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg, with diversified applications in gas cylinder exchange, agriculture, wind energy, and drone technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Machine Vision Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

AI/Analytics Video Surveillance (Detection, LPR, People Counting) (HSAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Drone/UAV Data Capture & Processing Software (AFAAAFAH), Remote Sensing & Imagery Analytics (Satellite, Drone, Aerial) (AFABAMAB)

Keywords

• Intelligent camera systems
• Image processing solutions
• Reverse vending machines
• Deposit return systems
• OEM camera components

Headquarters

HQ city

Bielefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. OEM Components Sales: Insensiv operates as an OEM supplier, selling intelligent camera systems and recognition components to manufacturers of reverse vending machines and other equipment. This forms the core business as the company specializes in providing standardized and custom-built components embedded in customers' end products.
2. Custom Development Services: The company offers customer-specific (kundenspezifische) developments in the field of image processing systems, creating bespoke solutions tailored to individual client requirements across various industries including industry, retail, and agriculture.
3. Product Systems (Gas Cylinder Machines, RVMs, Air Purifiers): Sale of complete product systems including gas cylinder exchange machines (GTA), reverse vending machines, and air purifiers (developed during COVID-19 pandemic).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

insensiv develops and manufactures intelligent camera-based image processing solutions, with a primary focus on recognition technology for reverse vending machines (RVMs) used in beverage deposit return systems. The company's product portfolio includes OEM recognition components (Ausleseeinheiten, Flaschenkonturerkennung, Kistenerkennung, Qualitätssicherungseinheiten), complete systems such as gas cylinder exchange machines (GTA), coffee cup return machines (CCVM), and air purifiers, plus specialized applications including the BIRD.IFICATION anti-collision system for wind turbines, PodCopter tethered drone systems, and the EggCam solution for poultry farms.

Product overview

Insensiv is a specialist for custom image processing solutions based on intelligent camera systems. The product portfolio consists of core products (reverse vending technology, gas cylinder exchange machines, UAV/drone technology, anti-collision systems, air purifiers) and add-on modules (recognition units, shape/crate recognition, quality assurance units, 360° scan inspection, UAV assistance systems). The company operates primarily as an OEM component supplier for manufacturers of reverse vending machines, with a focus on deposit systems for pfandhaltige Getränkeverpackungen (deposit-bearing beverage packaging). Additional products include coffee cup return machines (CCVM), agricultural egg counting systems (EggCam), and specialized air purifiers. All products are connected by the use of proprietary intelligent cameras developed in-house, serving industries including retail, agriculture, defense, wind energy, and logistics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• insensiv develop: Wholly-owned subsidiary focused on strategic development of existing technological ideas and projects, high-end technology, and joint ventures in drone technology and robotics. Founded 2025.

Products and services

• Gasflaschen-Automat (GTA) / Gas Cylinder Exchange Machine Fully automated machine for the return and dispensing of propane gas cylinders, enabling 24/7 customer-friendly exchange of gas bottles without staff assistance; deployed at DIY and retail chains in Germany and Luxembourg.
• Rücknahmeautomaten / Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) Automated machines for the return of deposit-bearing beverage containers, integrated with intelligent camera systems for recognition and processing; supplied as embedded OEM components or complete systems to RVM manufacturers and operators.
• Ausleseeinheiten / Recognition Units Intelligent reading units for reverse vending machines that analyze barcodes and deposit logos with integrated metal detection for reliable container identification; supplied as OEM recognition components to RVM manufacturers.
• BIRD.IFICATION Anti-Collision System AI-powered detection system for wind turbines that identifies protected bird species and triggers selective shutdown to prevent collisions; used by wind farm operators for environmental safety compliance.
• PodCopter (Tethered/Cable-Bound Drone) Cable-bound (tethered) UAV drone system developed for industrial and commercial applications including surveillance and logistics delivery; part of Insensiv's drone technology portfolio.
• CCVM (Coffee Cup Vending Machine) Reverse vending machine specifically developed for the return of reusable coffee cups of all kinds, using contour recognition technology to support comprehensive reusable cup systems.
• EggCam (Custom Agricultural Solution) Custom-developed image processing solution for the agricultural sector that recognizes, counts, measures, and sorts eggs on conveyor belts in chicken coops, providing data on egg volume, weight distribution, and contamination levels for large layer farms.
• Luftreiniger / Air Purifier (Silent Pro 1500, Comfort 800) Mobile air purifiers with certified HEPA H13/H14 filters (filtering up to 99.95% of airborne particles including viruses and aerosols) for enclosed spaces such as schools and meeting rooms, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• String Shot Launcher (Mobile Drone Defense System) Hand-operated mobile anti-drone system for airport safety, used to mitigate risks from hobby drones to aviation operations.
• QSE-DPG-5 Quality Assurance Unit New quality assurance unit for the German deposit system guaranteeing compliance with the latest DPG security specification 5.0 for deposit packaging; available as an OEM component for RVM manufacturers.
• insensiv develop (Strategic Technology Venture) Wholly-owned subsidiary focused on the strategic development of existing technological ideas and projects, combining sensor technology, image processing, robotics, and automation; develops market-ready solutions together with partner companies via joint ventures.

Quantifiable outcome

• 34% average annual revenue growth 2016-2019 (Wachstumschampion 2021)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• InnoZent OWL e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Insensiv collaborates with InnoZent OWL, a technology network for the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region. The company hosted the 11th Elektronikforum OWL at its headquarters and participates in regular networking events organized by InnoZent OWL to foster exchange between industry, research, and science in the region.
• IHK Ostwestfalen zu BielefeldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsensiv co-organized the 'Resilienz in der Elektronikbeschaffung' event at IHK Ostwestfalen with around 80 participants from industry, development, and distribution. The event focused on securing electronics supply chains and strengthening regional cooperation.
• owl maschinenbau e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the regional initiative for resilient electronics procurement organized by Insensiv and co-hosts, supporting exchange between industry actors.
• IHK Lippe zu DetmoldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the regional electronics procurement resilience initiative, supporting cross-regional cooperation among businesses.
• WEGE – Wirtschaftsförderung für BielefeldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEGE (Economic Development Agency for Bielefeld) supports the regional business network. Insensiv is part of the 'Das kommt aus Bielefeld' cooperation network, which works to network and showcase Bielefeld businesses.
• pro Wirtschaft GT GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development partner supporting the electronics procurement resilience initiative.
• VDE OWLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical/engineering association partner supporting the regional electronics procurement resilience initiative.
• Bridging-IT GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsensiv participates in the 'mobil-e-hub' project initiated by Bridging-IT, an innovative logistics system combining autonomous transport drones with vehicles. Insensiv contributes image processing expertise and develops the landing platform and optical positioning system for the drone-based delivery system.
• VenmatecminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsensiv exhibited together with its partner company Venmatec at the euvend & coffeena 2019 trade fair in Cologne, presenting the CCVM coffee cup return machine.
• CupSolutions / City of ViennaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsensiv supported a Vienna initiative by CupSolutions and the City of Vienna to establish a city-wide reusable cup return system, supplying multiple return machines for public deployment.
• Smart Factory OWLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsensiv participated in the BVAu 2022 annual colloquium 'Bildverarbeitung in der Automation' at Smart Factory OWL on the Innovation Campus in Lemgo, presenting insights on applied image processing.
• inIT – Institut für industrielle Informationstechnik, TH Ostwestfalen-LippeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsensiv engaged with the inIT institute at TH Ostwestfalen-Lippe in the context of the BVAu 2022 image processing event, exchanging knowledge with academic researchers in industrial image processing.
• Insensiv develop (Subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsensiv GmbH founded the wholly-owned subsidiary 'insensiv develop' in 2025 to focus on strategic development of existing technological ideas and projects, detached from the core business. Alena Kuhlmeier was appointed to lead strategy and organization. The subsidiary plans to develop projects through joint ventures with partner companies.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cognex Corporation: Global leader in machine vision systems and industrial barcode readers. Directly comparable to Insensiv's intelligent camera-based recognition and inspection offerings across factory automation and logistics applications.
• Basler AG: German manufacturer of industrial cameras and computer vision components for factory automation, medical, and retail applications. Closely comparable as a German-headquartered industrial camera and vision OEM with overlapping customer base.
• Tomra Systems ASA: World-leading reverse vending machine manufacturer and a key customer-adjacent peer. Tomra represents the demand side Insensiv supplies, but also a potential competitor if it insources vision technology for its RVMs.
• Datalogic S.p.A. Italian-headquartered global player in barcode reading, machine vision, and RFID for industrial and retail automation. Directly comparable for fixed industrial scanners, vision, and OEM-style integration work similar to Insensiv.
• ISRA VISION (Atlas Copco): German machine vision company (now part of Atlas Copco) specializing in industrial surface inspection, robot vision, and quality control. Comparable as a German industrial vision peer with similar application breadth.
• Envipco Holding N.V. European-based reverse vending machine manufacturer and recycling solutions provider. Comparable as both a customer of vision components and a competing RVM platform targeting the same deposit system regulatory tailwinds.

Broad incumbents

• SICK AG: German-based global manufacturer of sensors and sensor-based industrial automation solutions, including machine vision. Comparable as a German industrial sensing/vision incumbent with broader portfolio than Insensiv.
• Keyence Corporation: Japanese global supplier of industrial automation and inspection equipment including machine vision systems, barcode readers, and sensors. Comparable at the product/technology level as a broad-based industrial vision incumbent.
• Diebold Nixdorf / Wincor Nixdorf: Global provider of retail and banking technology including reverse vending machines. Comparable as a major RVM customer that embeds vision components, with broader retail IT portfolio than Insensiv.

Emerging players

• MVTec Software GmbH: German-based machine vision software vendor (HALCON, MERLIC). Comparable as a German-headquartered industrial vision specialist whose software stack runs alongside the same camera-based systems Insensiv builds.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/insensiv
• Facebookfacebook.com/insensiv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/insensiv
• Instagraminstagram.com/insensiv

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Insensiv