This year, more than 90 applications were received, which bears witness to the creativity and innovative strength of the security branch of industry. The independent jury did not have an easy task; on August 25, 2010, it was the first time the manufacturer-independent jury board met the final-listed top 20 companies and made their choice on the submitted applications with regard to innovation content, user benefits, economic viability and reliability, particularly in terms of the ideal and material value added.

On 4th October, within the framework of the ceremonial opening of Security 2010, TV presenter Rudi Cerne handed over the special prize to the winners of Essen Security Innovation Award.

In the Technology & Products Category of the award, Kowa, a world-known Japanese lens manufacturer, has won the Silver prize standing them apart from the other candidates in the group.

The winning product is their P-Iris megapixel lens series. This world innovation incorporates a new aperture control process for fixed cameras in outdoor areas. P-Iris lenses are developed in combination with a stepper motor and synchronised turnstile technology to produce images with a far higher contrast than ever. The higher resolution and the greater depth of field permit considerably better image quality and evaluation in video surveillance.

The P-Iris lens series, consists of 3 models, which have been jointly developed by Kowa and Axis communications, specially designed for precise-controlled megapixel and HDTV cameras and demanding video surveillance applications.