Norsk Elektro Optikk AS (NEO) is a Norwegian research and development company
specializing in optics, electro-optics, spectroscopy, and advanced imaging
technologies. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Skedsmokorset (Lillestrøm
municipality), near Oslo, Norway, the company has established itself as a leader
in the development and commercialization of optical measurement instruments and
hyperspectral imaging systems. NEO combines strong scientific research
capabilities with practical engineering to deliver high-performance products and
solutions to industrial, scientific, and government customers worldwide.
The company operates at the intersection of physics, optics, and electronics,
and its work spans both contract research and the design and manufacture of
commercial products. Over the decades, NEO has spun off several successful
business units and brands, most notably in the field of hyperspectral imaging,
where it has become internationally recognized.
Core Areas of Activity
Norsk Elektro Optikk focuses on turning cutting-edge optical science into usable
instruments and systems. Its principal areas of competence and business include:
Hyperspectral Imaging
NEO is perhaps best known internationally for its hyperspectral imaging
technology, marketed under the HySpex brand. Hyperspectral imaging captures
image data across a large number of narrow, contiguous spectral bands, allowing
each pixel in an image to be associated with a full spectrum. This enables
detailed material identification and analysis that is impossible with
conventional color or multispectral cameras.
The HySpex line of cameras is used in a wide range of applications, including:
- Remote sensing from airborne and drone platforms
- Environmental monitoring and vegetation analysis
- Geology and mineral exploration
- Precision agriculture
- Laboratory and industrial analysis
- Defense and security applications
- Art conservation and cultural heritage research
- Food quality inspection and sorting
HySpex cameras are recognized for their radiometric accuracy, high spatial and
spectral resolution, and rigorous calibration. Because of their precision and
reliability, they are frequently used as reference instruments in scientific
research and in the calibration and validation of satellite and airborne remote
sensing data.
Laser Gas Monitoring and Spectroscopy
NEO has developed instruments based on laser spectroscopy for the measurement
and monitoring of gases. Using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy
(TDLAS) and related techniques, these instruments provide fast, sensitive, and
selective detection of specific gas species in industrial and environmental
settings. Applications include process control, emissions monitoring, and safety
systems in demanding industrial environments.
Optical Design and Contract Research
A foundational part of NEO's business is contract research and development in
optics and electro-optics. The company undertakes projects for industrial
clients, research institutions, and government agencies, drawing on deep
expertise in:
- Optical system design and modeling
- Spectrometer and imaging spectrometer design
- Electro-optical instrument development
- Laser systems and applications
- Detector technologies and signal processing
This R&D capability allows NEO to solve specialized measurement problems and to
develop custom instruments tailored to particular requirements. Many of the
company's commercial products have grown out of this research work.
Products and Services
HySpex Hyperspectral Cameras
The HySpex product portfolio includes a range of hyperspectral imaging cameras
covering different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, from the visible
and near-infrared (VNIR) through the shortwave infrared (SWIR) region. The
product families include:
- VNIR series cameras covering the visible and near-infrared range
- SWIR series cameras covering the shortwave infrared range
- Compact and Mjolnir series cameras designed for lightweight airborne and
drone-based deployment
- Baldur series, aimed at more compact and accessible imaging solutions
- Laboratory systems and turnkey configurations for controlled measurement
environments
Alongside the cameras themselves, NEO supplies complementary hardware and
software, including translation stages for laboratory scanning, calibration
equipment, and data acquisition and processing software. The company places
strong emphasis on calibration services, ensuring that its instruments deliver
traceable, accurate spectral and radiometric measurements.
Software and Data Processing
NEO provides software tools that support data acquisition, radiometric and
geometric calibration, and preprocessing of hyperspectral data. These tools help
users convert raw sensor output into scientifically usable reflectance and
radiance data, which can then be analyzed in third-party or specialized
software environments.
Calibration and Support Services
Given the scientific nature of its instruments, NEO offers calibration,
maintenance, and technical support services. The company's calibration
facilities and expertise are central to the value proposition of HySpex
cameras, particularly for customers who require reference-grade accuracy for
research, remote sensing validation, and demanding industrial applications.
Custom and Contract Engineering
Beyond its catalog products, NEO develops custom optical and electro-optical
instruments and undertakes contract research assignments. This service is aimed
at clients who need specialized measurement or imaging capabilities that are not
met by off-the-shelf equipment.
Applications and Markets
Norsk Elektro Optikk serves a global and diverse customer base. Its instruments
and expertise are applied in:
- Academic and government research institutions
- Remote sensing and Earth observation programs
- Environmental agencies and monitoring organizations
- Mining and geological survey operations
- Agricultural technology and food industry inspection
- Defense, security, and surveillance
- Cultural heritage, art analysis, and conservation science
- Industrial process control and emissions monitoring
The company's technology is used both in the field, on airborne and unmanned
platforms, and in laboratories, where controlled scanning arrangements allow
detailed material analysis.
Company Character and Reputation
Norsk Elektro Optikk combines a research-driven culture with a commitment to
producing precise, dependable commercial instruments. The company is
particularly respected in the scientific and remote sensing communities for the
quality and calibration rigor of its HySpex hyperspectral cameras, which are
often chosen where measurement accuracy is paramount.
As a Norwegian company operating in a highly specialized technical niche, NEO
demonstrates how focused expertise in optics and electro-optics can yield
products that compete internationally. Its long history since the mid-1980s
reflects sustained innovation and adaptation, moving from contract research into
the successful development and global sale of advanced imaging and measurement
systems.
Summary
Norsk Elektro Optikk AS is a Norwegian company dedicated to optics,
electro-optics, spectroscopy, and hyperspectral imaging. Its flagship HySpex
product line has made it a globally recognized supplier of high-precision
hyperspectral cameras used in remote sensing, research, industry, and beyond.
Complemented by laser gas monitoring instruments, contract research services,
and strong calibration and support capabilities, NEO offers a comprehensive
range of advanced optical measurement solutions grounded in deep scientific
and engineering expertise.
