Company Directory › Robotics › Machine Vision & 3D Sensing › Cognex vs Keyence
Cognex vs Keyence
Cognex and Keyence are both machine vision & 3D sensing companies. Their verified profiles differ on headquarters and product lines. The table below sets out only those rows; everything else is on each company's own profile. Facts verified 6 November 2026.
Where they differ
| Company | Cognex | Keyence |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Natick, Massachusetts, United States | Osaka, Japan |
| Product lines | In-Sight vision systems, DataMan barcode readers and 3D vision systems | machine-vision systems (CV-X and XG-X), 3D vision and laser-profiling sensors |
Market context: United States
Industrial robot installations, 2025: almost 38,500 (+12% year on year). This counts industrial robots installed in the United States during the year, whichever country the supplier comes from; it describes the destination market and is not a figure about Cognex.
Source: International Federation of Robotics (IFR), World Robotics 2026, released 24 September 2026.
Market context: Japan
Industrial robot installations, 2025: 36,219 (-19% year on year). This counts industrial robots installed in Japan during the year, whichever country the supplier comes from; it describes the destination market and is not a figure about Keyence.
Source: International Federation of Robotics (IFR), World Robotics 2026, released 24 September 2026.
How Cognex and Keyence differ
Cognex, headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, builds vision systems under the In-Sight name alongside DataMan barcode readers and 3D vision systems, while Keyence in Osaka, Japan, counters with its CV-X and XG-X machine-vision systems plus 3D vision and laser-profiling sensors. The buyer bases differ in emphasis: Cognex lists automotive, electronics, logistics, consumer goods, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and medical-device industries among its markets, a spread that sits behind its dedicated identification line. Both list 3D vision, yet Cognex adds a dedicated identification line in its DataMan barcode readers, while Keyence's listed range leans on laser profiling alongside its CV-X and XG-X systems. Keyence's own industry framing is machine vision and sensing for factory automation and robot guidance, and its presence is built on direct-sales subsidiaries, whereas Cognex pairs its offices with distributors across the Americas, Europe and Asia. The companies also differ in reach: Keyence reports direct-sales subsidiaries in 46 countries, while Cognex lists offices in more than 30 countries. Keyence's roots run to 1974, when it was incorporated as Lead Electric Co., Ltd. before becoming Keyence Corporation in 1986.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Cognex and Keyence?
Cognex is based in Natick, Massachusetts, United States and Keyence in Osaka, Japan; they also differ on product lines. The table above sets out both companies' entries row by row.
Are Cognex and Keyence in the same country?
No. Cognex is based in Natick, Massachusetts, United States and Keyence in Osaka, Japan — 1-3-14 Higashi-Nakajima, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka.
Can one sourcing request reach both Cognex and Keyence?
Yes. Cognex can be reached through cognex.com and Keyence through keyence.com, or post one sourcing request and let both answer if they fit.
Is one of these two companies placed higher by GlobleMatch?
No. There is no pay-to-rank and no paid placement in comparisons; order and content come from verified profile facts only.
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Full profiles, with every fact and its source: Cognex and Keyence. Profile facts last verified: Cognex on 6 November 2026, Keyence on 6 November 2026.