Hybrid Imaging in Industrial Applications: A Review of Principles and Deployment.

Hybrid imaging methods are emerging as one of the most dynamically evolving research areas in industrial inspection systems. This paper presents a literature review covering relevant scientific publications and official reports on the use of multimodal approaches in quality inspection and NDT systems. Hybrid imaging involves combining two or more imaging techniques to enhance the detection, characterization, and interpretation of features in inspected objects. The paper describes the physical foundations of vision-based inspection systems, including the interaction of optical radiation with matter. It also introduces a classification of optical methods and discusses the role of image fusion in multimodal data processing, with particular emphasis on high-speed quality control systems. The review outlines the current capabilities, limitations, and industrial applications of hybrid imaging, as well as future research directions, including integration with real-time systems and the use of artificial intelligence for automated defect interpretation.