Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

camera

Intel introduces new tracking camera for autonomous devices

by

Intel has introduced the Intel RealSense Tracking Camera T265, a new class of stand-alone inside-out tracking device that will provide developers with a  building block for autonomous devices.

The T265 uses proprietary visual inertial odometry simultaneous localisation and mapping (V-SLAM) technology with computing at the edge and is suitable for applications that require a highly accurate and low-latency tracking solution, including robotics, drones, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality.

The camera is powered by the Intel Movidius Myriad 2 vision processing unit (VPU), which directly handles all the data processing necessary for tracking on the machine.

[Read more…] about Intel introduces new tracking camera for autonomous devices

Ambarella introduces new computer vision camera chip

by

Ambarella, a  developer of high-resolution video processing and computer vision semiconductors, has introduced the CV25 camera System-on-Chip (SoC), which it claims combines advanced image processing, high-resolution video encoding, and CVflow computer vision processing.

The company claims CV25’s CVflow architecture provides the Deep Neural Network (DNN) processing required for the next generation of affordable and intelligent home monitoring, professional surveillance, and aftermarket automotive solutions, including smart dash-cameras, Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS), and electronic mirrors.

“CV25 brings computer vision at the edge into the mainstream,” said Fermi Wang, President and CEO of Ambarella.

[Read more…] about Ambarella introduces new computer vision camera chip

New Intel camera adds 6 degrees of freedom tracking

by

Intel has introduced a new addition to the Intel RealSense D400 series: the Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435i.

This latest camera includes a new inertial measurement unit (IMU) that enables developers to create solutions with more advanced depth-sensing and tracking capabilities for applications including drones, robotics and gaming.

The camera adds 6 degrees of freedom data from an internal IMU that combines a variety of linear accelerometers with gyroscopes to detect both rotation and translation for three axes, as well as pitch, yaw and roll.

[Read more…] about New Intel camera adds 6 degrees of freedom tracking

B&R presents fully integrated cameras for automation

by

B&R Automation‘s entry into the machine vision market is led by two camera variants: Smart Sensor and Smart Camera.

As the hardware is fully integrated in the automation system, the cameras can be synchronised to machine functions with microsecond precision.

The Smart Sensor is designed to implement a single machine vision functionality, such as QR code reading or position detection.

[Read more…] about B&R presents fully integrated cameras for automation

Sick launches 3D camera for robotic belt picking applications

by

Sick has launched its fully-programmable TrispectorP1000 3D vision camera to enable reliable, continuous in-line product detection to be easily customised for robotic belt picking applications for the packaging industry.

The Trispector P1000 uses height-based profiling of products on moving packaging lines to ensure gentle and efficient robot picking whatever the shape or colour of the pack design, and even where there is minimal contrast or colour difference between the product and the belt background.

As a compact, stand-alone, programmable 3D camera, Sick TriSpector P1000 combines imaging, lighting and analysis in one device to facilitate on-board evaluation and processing of dimension, volume and true shape data in mm.

[Read more…] about Sick launches 3D camera for robotic belt picking applications

Stanford boffins invent 4D camera to improve robotic vision and augmented and virtual reality specs

by

A team of researchers at Stanford have designed a 4D camera which could improve vision for applications in robotics and virtual and augmented reality technologies. 

The new vision technique could also be used in autonomous vehicles, add the researchers – Donald Dansereau, a postdoctoral fellow in electrical engineering, and Gordon Wetzstein, assistant professor of electrical engineering, and others.

The new camera Stanford has developed is a proof-of-concept and the university plans to start building a smaller prototype suitable for commercialisation in the coming months.  [Read more…] about Stanford boffins invent 4D camera to improve robotic vision and augmented and virtual reality specs

Interview: Robotic Vision Technologies boss eyes growth of global collaborative robotics market

by

Interview with Rick Weidinger, CEO of Robotic Vision Technologies

A human eye transmits data to the brain at a rate of approximately 10 million bits a second, which is about the equivalent of the capacity of some Ethernet connections. 

This was the finding of a study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and while that may be debatable, and perhaps doesn’t tell the whole story of the complexity of the human eye, it’s probably a widely accepted idea that our eyes collect and transmit more data than do our other “sensors”, if they can be called that – the ones for sound, touch, smell and taste – which, with sight, make up our five human senses.

Robots, of course, only have senses because their makers want to integrate sensors into them.  [Read more…] about Interview: Robotic Vision Technologies boss eyes growth of global collaborative robotics market

The pros and cons of using drones in the real estate business

by

By Tim Jennings, president, Custom Case Group

Are drones a necessity in the real estate business or are they an extra? 

The clearest and quickest way to answer that question is to present a few compelling pieces of information:

  • When the Federal Aviation Administration handed out its first 1,000 commercial drone operator exemptions a couple of years ago, 35 percent were to operators in real estate marketing.
  • The Multiple Listing Service has reported that properties featuring aerial images sell about 68 percent faster than do properties featuring only non-aerial photos.
  • According to the National Association of Realtors, 73 percent of homeowners said they’d be more likely to list with an agent who incorporates video in marketing their home.
  • In March 2016, Goldman Sachs released a report saying the global drone market is expected to grow to $20.6 billion in the next five years.
  • Many analysts are saying last summer’s FAA commercial drone ruling will result in a dramatic expansion of drone use in the real estate industry this year.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The bottom line is: If you haven’t incorporated drones in your operations yet, it’s time to get the process started.  [Read more…] about The pros and cons of using drones in the real estate business

Fanuc launches R-30iB Plus robot controller

by

Fanuc R-30iB Plus robot controller

Fanuc is introducing its new R-30iB Plus robot controller at the annual Fanuc Open House event on April 10-13 at its headquarters in Japan.

The new R-30iB Plus controller features a new iPendant with an enhanced screen resolution and processing capability.

The user interface, iHMI, has an icon-based screen which provides a familiar and easy-to-use experience with intuitive guides for setup and programming.  [Read more…] about Fanuc launches R-30iB Plus robot controller

Beam me up virtually, Scotty: I canna change the laws of physics, captain

by

Kirk, Spock teleportation

lockA while ago, Robotics and Automation News interviewed Alex Boch about 360 cameras, and he said he would be developing a new product soon which would incorporate virtual reality. 

Now, having helped build the ALLie Camera, Boch – who is VP of operations there – is back in touch to talk about the device which he says gives users a better view of events than if they were actually there.

One of the events ALLie has been used for is the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship, which Boch mentions in the Q&A that follows.  [Read more…] about Beam me up virtually, Scotty: I canna change the laws of physics, captain