The principal activities of the company are the manufacture and distribution of vision systems for the inspection of semi-conductor back end and electronic assembly applications. it was started in 1982 as an offshoot of leuven university. working in close collaboration with its clients icos has rapidly developed a worldwide network, with implantations in the usa (1986), japan (1991), hong kong (1995) and singapore (1996). icos products can either be integrated into the clients' manufacturing line or stand alone.