E167 ‘Revolutionising Medical Manufacturing with AI’ with Viska Systems’ David Moore

Today’s guest is David Moore, CEO at Viska Systems. who have been selected as a finalists in the Best Application of AI in an SME at the 2024 AI Awards. They have been nominated for their AI-driven vision system, Viskam, which addresses inaccuracies in medical device manufacturing by providing precise counting of microscopic components. 

In the podcast, Davis discusses his path to founding Viska Systems. With a background in mechanical engineering from Dublin City University, he earned his PhD while working in industry, focusing on image processing and manufacturing technologies for medical devices. His experience spans across various sectors, including advanced manufacturing and laser technologies.

Nine years ago, David and his wife Enrika, identified a significant gap in the market for advanced vision technologies in manufacturing. Inspired by their experiences and personal milestones, they decided to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. David reflects, “It made me think a lot about how I spend my time and what I wanted to do with it.” With a solid understanding of business from his family’s construction background, he felt equipped to steer a company toward impactful solutions.

Viska Systems began as a service-oriented business, utilising cutting-edge technologies to enhance manufacturing processes. Over the years, they transitioned to a product-focused model, developing innovative solutions for various industries, including medical devices, food and beverage, semiconductors and automotive. Today, their vision systems inspect approximately one billion euros worth of products annually.

A key focus of Viska is addressing accuracy issues in medical device manufacturing. Many manufacturing processes remain manual, especially when it comes to counting microscopic components used in minimally invasive surgeries. For instance, when counting tiny tubes just half a millimetre in diameter, manufacturers often rely on estimates based on weight, leading to inaccuracies of up to 5%. Viska’s advanced vision technology reduces this error rate to an impressive 0.03%, offering significant cost savings and efficiency gains.

David shared insights into how Viska integrates high-performance GPU technology to support a variety of AI models. This flexibility allows them to quickly adapt to advancements in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. By combining open-source models with proprietary solutions, Viska empowers customers to leverage the latest technology while ensuring ease of use on the factory floor.

One of the challenges in the industry is the restrictive nature of existing proprietary systems, which can hinder rapid innovation. David emphasises the importance of open-source contributions in advancing technology and simplifying deployment, allowing manufacturers to access new architectures and tools without the burden of complex dependencies.

Managing software dependencies and hardware constraints is crucial for successful implementation, especially when running AI models on edge devices. David explains the distinction between machine vision and computer vision. 

In machine vision, where specific parts are identified in controlled environments, models can be optimized for accuracy without the variations seen in broader computer vision applications. This tailored approach enables Viska to deliver reliable quality checks that minimize false positives and negatives, critical for maintaining high manufacturing standards.

Viska Systems is also committed to environmental sustainability, recognising the importance of reducing waste and optimising production processes. By enhancing accuracy and efficiency, they directly contribute to minimising rework and waste for their customers. Furthermore, their products are designed with recyclability in mind, reflecting a dedication to sustainable practices in manufacturing.

As Viska Systems continues to innovate at the intersection of AI and manufacturing, their journey exemplifies how advanced technologies can drive efficiency, accuracy and sustainability in the industry. David’s story is a testament to the impact of entrepreneurial spirit, collaboration and a commitment to making a difference.