i-PRO, a camera manufacturer renowned for its Japanese engineering quality, which gained its independence from Panasonic in October 2021, is a finalist for Innovator of the Year at the 2025 Benchmark Innovation Awards. This award will give recognition on how the company has been able to reshape itself, balancing technical ambition with a sharper, multicultural, and more agile identity.
i-PRO’s autonomy has transformed how the business operates. No longer limited by the structure of a larger corporation, i-PRO has been able to respond faster to customer needs, invest in innovation more decisively, and reinforce its position as a trusted partner in physical security.
As José Riolobos, President of i-PRO EMEA, explains,“Becoming an independent company has been a game-changer for us at i-PRO. Moving away from the rigid corporate structure of our former parent company has allowed us to be more agile, innovative, customer-centric and responsive to market needs—all while maintaining the superior ‘Made in Japan’ quality that our partners and customers trust.”
With R&D and manufacturing based in Fukuoka, Japan (the building pictured below), this quality remains a defining strength. Precision, reliability and consistency are built into every product—and in a world of supply chain uncertainty, the ability to deliver quickly without cutting corners is something that sets i-PRO apart.
Technology, Agility and Openness
i-PRO’s strength lies in its ability to bring practical innovation to the field, solutions that are intelligent, flexible, and ready to go. The company has introduced more than 250 AI-enabled camera models, including the X-Series range, which brings smart detection and learning directly to the device. End users can customise the AI to spot or count objects specific to their own environments, cutting down on false positives and making the data more useful.
Even better, this same technology can upgrade older, non-AI cameras, extending their life rather than replacing them. For organisations managing large estates or tight budgets, that’s not just convenient, it’s sustainable.
Integration is another strength. i-PRO’s open architecture means it plays well with others, whether that’s third-party VMS platforms or specialist analytics tools. There’s no push to lock customers into one ecosystem. Instead, the company takes a collaborative approach, giving integrators and end users the flexibility to build the system that’s right for them.
Production-wise, i-PRO has also made smart moves. By expanding its R&D and manufacturing capability in Japan, it’s been able to shorten lead times and maintain steady output – something that has become a major advantage in today’s unpredictable supply environment.
Accountability by Design
i-PRO isn’t just innovating fast, it’s doing it responsibly. It became the first physical security company to achieve ISO/IEC 42001 certification, a new international standard for managing artificial intelligence. This step signals more than compliance; it reflects a deeper commitment to transparency, accountability, and the ethical use of AI.
Security, in all senses, is a key focus. i-PRO aligns with rigorous data protection standards, including FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certification from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It’s a signal to customers that these systems are built not only to perform, but to protect.
Most products and integrations can be seen and tried at i-PRO’s experience centre in Tokyo (picture left).
Sustainability is also embedded in the company’s approach, from packaging to the way the products work and interact with legacy cameras. For example, by enabling AI upgrades on existing infrastructure, i-PRO supports greener technology strategies, helping users extend the life of their systems rather than replacing them.
A Culture That Blends East and West
i-PRO’s culture blends two complementary strengths: the discipline and quality that underpin Japanese manufacturing, and the openness and agility of a globally connected business. Inside the company, values like trust, boldness and flexibility are more than words—they shape the way teams build products, support customers and respond to market shifts.
That ethos is reflected externally too. i-PRO is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and holds Great Place to Work certifications across multiple regions. It’s a company that takes its role seriously—not just as a technology supplier, but as a long-term partner.
In a sector that moves quickly and often chases the next headline, i-PRO is focused on building solutions that last. Being named a finalist for Innovator of the Year is recognition of that approach—and of the value that consistency, integrity and technical leadership bring to the security industry.