Inside Cubert: A Closer Look at Hyperspectral Imaging with Dr. René Heine
To gain deeper insight into the capabilities of hyperspectral imaging, Daniel van de Sandt from Kowa visited Cubert GmbH in Ulm, Germany, where he met with Dr. René Heine, CEO and Co-founder of Cubert.
Cubert has established itself as a leader in hyperspectral camera technology, developing imaging systems that extend far beyond traditional RGB cameras. While conventional cameras capture only red, green, and blue light, Cubert’s systems record a detailed spectral fingerprint at every pixel, revealing chemical and material information that is completely invisible to the human eye.
What Makes Hyperspectral Imaging Different?
At a glance, a Cubert camera may resemble a standard industrial camera. The difference lies in what it captures.
Instead of recording basic color values, each pixel collects spectral data across a broad wavelength range, typically spanning the visible spectrum and into the near-infrared. This added depth of information allows users to:
- Identify specific materials
- Analyze chemical composition
- Detect subtle variations that traditional imaging systems cannot capture
- In short, hyperspectral imaging transforms a simple image into a rich dataset.
From Academic Research to Practical Deployment
Cubert’s technology originated in research-driven innovation. Early prototypes produced only a few thousand pixels. Today, the company has achieved megapixel hyperspectral video, an important breakthrough that has moved the technology from the lab into real-world deployment.
Cubert cameras are now used across a diverse range of industries, including:
- Medical imaging – Supporting early Alzheimer’s detection through retinal analysis and enabling improved tissue differentiation during surgical procedures
- Industrial inspection – Enhancing sorting processes and quality control systems
- Agriculture and remote sensing – Measuring crop health, nitrogen content, water levels, and growth conditions
- UAV and drone imaging – A field Cubert entered as early as 2013
- Defense and security – Enabling reliable friend-or-foe identification based on spectral signatures
The versatility of hyperspectral imaging has also led to some unique research applications, from studying plant and animal life beneath Antarctic ice to analyzing color changes in spiders during mating rituals.
Meeting the Optical Challenge: Why Cubert Uses Kowa Lenses
Hyperspectral systems demand exceptional optical performance. Unlike standard cameras, these systems must maintain precision across a wide wavelength range.
According to Dr. Heine, Cubert cameras require:
- Superior image quality
- High numerical aperture
- Stable, consistent transmission from ultraviolet through near-infrared wavelengths
To meet these requirements, Cubert partners with Kowa. Kowa lenses provide the optical clarity and spectral coverage necessary to maximize the performance of Cubert’s advanced sensor technology.
The Future of Hyperspectral Imaging
Cubert’s long-term goal is ambitious but clear: make hyperspectral imaging as accessible and widely used as RGB imaging is today.
While current systems are primarily deployed in research institutions and specialized industries, Cubert is actively focused on miniaturization and cost optimization. The objective is to expand adoption across industrial automation, medical diagnostics, and broader commercial markets.
As Dr. Heine points out, most imaging technologies are still designed around the limitations of human vision. Hyperspectral imaging removes those limitations—providing deeper insight, improved decision-making, and new opportunities in automation, robotics, and advanced diagnostics.
Cubert is working to turn that potential into an everyday tool for industries worldwide.