Exploring hyperspectral imaging with Cubert

To better understand the power of hyperspectral imaging and the technology behind Cubert's advanced cameras, Daniel van de Sandt from Kowa visited Cubert GmbH in Ulm, Germany, to speak with Dr. René Heine, CEO and Co-founder of Cubert.

Cubert is a pioneer in hyperspectral cameras, developing systems that go far beyond conventional RGB imaging. While a standard camera records just red, green, and blue, Cubert's cameras capture a full spectral signature for every single pixel, unlocking detailed chemical and material information invisible to the human eye.

What is Hyperspectral Imaging?

At first glance, a Cubert camera looks like a regular camera. But instead of capturing only colour, each pixel records spectral data across a wide wavelength range, typically from the visible spectrum into the near-infrared. This allows users to identify materials, measure chemical composition, and detect subtle changes that standard cameras simply cannot see.

From Research to Real-World Applications

Cubert's journey began with research driven innovation. Early prototypes captured only a few thousand pixels, but today Cubert has achieved megapixel hyperspectral video.

These cameras are now used across a wide range of fields:
• Medical imaging, including early Alzheimer's detection via retinal analysis and tissue differentiation during surgery

• Industrial inspection, such as sorting and quality control
• Remote sensing and agriculture, measuring crop health, nitrogen levels, water content, and growth potential
• Defence and security, including reliable friend-or-foe identification using spectral signatures
• Drone-based imaging, where Cubert was an early innovator as far back as 2013

Why Cubert Chooses Kowa Lenses

Hyperspectral cameras place exceptional demands on optics. According to Dr. Heine, Cubert systems must deliver:
• Outstanding image quality
• High numerical aperture
• Consistent performance from UV through near-infrared wavelengths

This is why Cubert partners with Kowa. Kowa lenses meet the stringent optical requirements of scientific hyperspectral imaging, providing the spectral coverage and precision needed to fully exploit Cubert's sensor technology.

Looking Ahead: Making Hyperspectral Imaging Accessible

Cubert's long-term vision is clear: to make hyperspectral imaging as common and accessible as RGB imaging is today. While current systems are primarily used in research and specialized industries, Cubert is heavily focused on miniaturization and cost reduction to bring this powerful technology to broader industrial and medical markets. As Dr. Heine explains, they currently design most imaging systems around the limitations of human vision. Hyperspectral imaging breaks that boundary offering richer data, better decisions, and new possibilities for automation, robotics, and diagnostics. Cubert's mission is to ensure that this untapped potential becomes a standard tool across industries worldwide.


Watch the full interview