Vision systems

What do the latest imaging systems in airborne objects reveal? Part 2

December 29, 2017 By Randy Frank

Archeological searching is being conducted from above at altitudes well below those of satellite orbits. One group of researchers has used an airborne laser scanner (ALS) mounted to a helicopter’s skid pad to reveal several cities between 900 and 1,400 years old beneath the tropical forest floor in Cambodia. The first LiDAR (light detection and […]

What do the latest imaging systems in airborne objects reveal? Part 1

December 28, 2017 By Randy Frank

Advances in the vision systems in orbiting satellites are revealing ancient pyramids in the desert sands of Egypt, the ruins of hidden temples and cities in the jungles of South America, Cambodia and other areas and even man-made structures under water in oceans and lakes. Satellites with imaging systems that can see through clouds and […]

What functions do sensors provide to drones?

November 29, 2017 By Randy Frank

Depending on the type of drone and its function, there can be a few essential sensors or an extensive number of sensors on board. Whether the drones are civilian or military craft, the sensors fall roughly into three categories: Make Them Fly, Make Them Work and Diagnose & Prevent Problems. Make Them Fly An inertial […]

How can touch-free sensing protect public health?

October 27, 2017 By Randy Frank

Many communicable diseases, such as viruses and bacterial infections, are transmitted by direct contact with a person who has the disease or with something that person touched. Avoiding contact is an obvious way to prevent spreading diseases. Touch-free sensors allow many frequently accessed functions in restrooms, such as automatic hands-free urinal and toilet flush, hands-free […]

What types of sensors are used in robots? Part 1 of 2

September 26, 2017 By Randy Frank

Fully functional human robots, such as those being developed by Boston Dynamics, need numerous sensors to simulate a variety of human and beyond human capabilities. For the human part, the sensors provide the ability to see, hear, touch and move. In general, industrial robots employ sensors for a variety of activities. Some sensors provide environmental […]

Balluff integrates two companies into the group

September 25, 2017 By Mary Gannon

Balluff is extending its digitalization know-how with the acquisition of two companies: the Stuttgart software company iss innovative software services GmbH (iss) and the machine vision pioneer Matrix Vision GmbH (MV) from Oppenweiler, near Stuttgart are now part of the sensor and automation specialist. The relevant contracts were signed in July and August after nearly […]

How can health improve with augmented reality?

September 22, 2017 By Randy Frank

In his keynote address at Sensors Expo 2017, Ori Inbar, co-founder and CEO of AugmentedReality.org showed a video from AMA XpertEye and Mending Kids where a doctor discusses potential applications for augmented reality (AR) in healthcare. (Excerpt from “Superpowers to Change the World: How Augmented Reality Helps Advance Humanity.”) According to Dr. Henry Rice, smart […]

IR sensing workshop to cover IR detectors, sources and filters, instrument subsystem designs, spectroscopy and sensing

July 27, 2017 By Maddie Lippert

LASER COMPONENTS USA, specialized provider of laser and photoelectronic components in the US and Canada, announces that it will sponsor the 4th International WORKshop on Infrared Technologies for a broad audience of leading IR experts. The event will take place at Arizona State University on November 8 – 9, 2017 in Tempe, AZ, USA. Based […]

How can you detect a wrong way driver?

June 22, 2017 By Randy Frank

In broad daylight and with several oncoming vehicles, the Do Not Enter and Wrong Way signs seem like they are unnecessary. However, late at night with no oncoming traffic and especially with an impaired driver, the Wrong Way sign is not enough to stop a wrong way driver (WWD). It turns out that in the […]

New vision system from Cognex

April 25, 2017 By Mike Santora

Cognex Corporation has introduced the new In-Sight 7000 series, a suite of ultra-rugged, highly modular standalone vision systems. The second generation In-Sight 7000 series performs fast and precise inspections that keeps pace with increasing line speeds, while its compact form factor easily fits into space-constrained production lines. The In-Sight 7000’s modular design offers over 400 […]