VISION Makeathon

Your day. Your creativity. Your ideas for the future of image processing.

A Makeathon (combining ‘to make’ and ‘marathon’) is a challenge event for everyone who prefers to take action rather than just talk. As part of VISION 2026, the world’s leading trade fair for image processing will become a stage for innovators with big visions – in a dedicated area right at the heart of the exhibition.

Working in interdisciplinary teams, you’ll tackle a practical challenge on the topic of image processing within a single day of the fair, engaging with VISION’s topics of the future such as artificial intelligence, embedded vision, 3D imaging or hyperspectral imaging. You will be supported by prominent VISION exhibitors and our Makeathon experts from ITQ. What counts most is your creativity, your team spirit and your ability to get things done.

What to expect at the VISION MAKEATHON

  • 1 day of full speed ahead
    From the initial idea to the first working prototype – focused, intensive, and showcased at VISION 2026.

  • Interdisciplinary teams
    Developers, data scientists, students, start-ups, system integrators, AI and Vision experts – this is where diverse skills and perspectives come together.

  • Challenges from the world of image processing

    Tasks centred on the following two application areas:

    o Circular economy / recycling

    o Smart farming

  • Mentoring & expert input
    Industry experts will provide you with technical and strategic support – directly on the project.

  • Final pitches in the special area
    At the end of the exhibition day, you will present your results live to trade visitors and exhibitors at VISION.

Who is the VISION MAKEATHON for?

  • Students and young talents from the fields of image processing, computer vision, computer science, electrical and information technology, mechanical engineering/mechatronics, optical technologies, data science or physics.
  • Groups from colleges and universities
  • Teams with ideas in the field of computer vision / machine vision
  • Anyone who wants to play an active role in shaping the future of image processing

In short: For anyone who takes BE VISIONARY literally and wants to put vision technologies into practice.

Registration VISION MAKEATHON 2026

Data Protection Information

The controller responsible for processing your personal data is Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH & Co. KG, Messepiazza 1, 70629 Stuttgart, Germany (www.messe-stuttgart.de; “Messe Stuttgart”).

Messe Stuttgart processes the personal data you provide (first name, surname, email address, education institution or university, degree programme and current semester of study) on the legal basis of Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. The processing is necessary to organise your participation in the VISION MAKEATHON competition organised by Messe Stuttgart and to send you a code for a complimentary ticket to VISION.

Any optional information you provide about your academic supervisor (academic title, first name, surname and supervisor identifier/code) is processed by Messe Stuttgart on the legal basis of Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. The legitimate interest pursued by Messe Stuttgart is to ensure a balanced allocation of participants among the competition groups. Providing this information is voluntary. By submitting this information, you confirm that you have informed your academic supervisor about the disclosure of their data in connection with the competition. Messe Stuttgart processes this data solely for the stated purpose and only for as long as necessary for that purpose.

The data entered in this form will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for the purposes stated above. Unless statutory retention obligations apply, the data will be deleted no later than three months after the end of the competition.
Please note that photographs, video recordings and sound recordings may be made at Messe Stuttgart events. These recordings are used for reporting purposes as well as press and public relations activities. Key information on this subject is available at
https://www.mstgt.de/fotoundvideo

Further information on data protection, in particular on your rights as a data subject, is available at https://www.messe-stuttgart.de/en/data-protection-declaration/

With the support of

Participating project companies