Waldkirch/Germany, March 13th, 2025 – SICK, an international provider of sensor-based automation solutions, has developed an AI-driven assistant system for manufacturing, enabling predictive quality assurance through industrial AI and real-time control. This innovative idea was honored with the Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award (MIMA) 2025 in the "Disrupt!" category. This is the sixth time that Microsoft Germany and the global management consultancy Roland Berger have awarded their coveted prize to pioneering solutions for the manufacturing industry. This year, MIMA recognized groundbreaking solutions that are shaping the future of the industry, with a focus on operations. The winners were selected by a high-ranking jury of experts from industry, science, and consulting.
Winner in the category “Disrupt!”: Predictive quality assurance through AI and real-time control by SICK
The winning solution by SICK combines two approaches, joining predictive quality analytics with real-time process control to enhance production efficiency, reduce waste, and improve yield. The sensor-based system analyzes production data to create a unique "fingerprint" of defective items, achieving an impressive 99 percent precision in predicting potential returns. At the same time, the integrated in-line process control system continuously tracks components in real time, proactively preventing defects before they occur. This solution not only improves product quality but also reduces avoidable failure costs by 29 percent.
Dr. Niels Syassen, Executive Board Member for Technology & Solutions at SICK: “We are honored to receive the MIMA 2025 for our disruptive use of industrial AI and sensor technology in manufacturing. By detecting and correcting defects in real-time, we empower our customers' workforce and unlock significant savings. At the same time, minimizing waste supports more sustainable production by lowering material consumption and reducing environmental impact. With this solution, we fully leverage manufacturing data to create real value for our customers.”
Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award for innovative pioneers in the field of operations
"Accelerating future Operations!" – Under this motto, companies from the entire economic region of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) were invited to submit their innovative digital solutions for the manufacturing, process, construction and automotive industries. Outstanding projects were sought in the categories Innovate!, Scale!, Add Value!, Disrupt!, Sustainability! as well as the overall winner of MIMA 2025. The sixth edition of the MIMA prize focused on the area of operations, which encompasses all processes and activities required to manufacture products: from the planning, control and optimization of production processes, supply chain management, quality control and maintenance to personnel management. More information on the MIMA 2025, other winners, and this year’s jury members can be found here: www.MIMAwinners2025.com
SICK is one of the world’s leading solutions providers for sensor-based applications in the industrial sector. Founded in 1946 by Dr.-Ing. e. h. Erwin Sick, the company with headquarters in Waldkirch im Breisgau near Freiburg ranks among the technological market leaders. With 60 subsidiaries and equity investments as well as numerous agencies, SICK maintains a presence around the globe. SICK has more than 12,000 employees worldwide and generated a group revenue of EUR 2.3 billion in the 2023 fiscal year. Additional information about SICK is available at www.sick.com