Meet the new camera platform

The O3R platform is the comprehensive 3D solution for the centralized, synchronized processing of image and sensor information in autonomous mobile robots such as AGVs. The simplified integration and reliable interaction of cameras and sensors makes the system suitable for extreme conditions and can be used for collision protection, navigation and positioning. In addition, object analysis and sizing can be performed more effectively using multiple cameras. Applications such as measuring pallets, tree trunks, packages or suitcases are easy to realize.

Powerful and open: central unit for sensor processing

At the core of the system is a powerful computing unit called the Video Processing Unit (VPU), which uses a yocto-Linux on an NVIDIA Jetson TX2 embedded hardware. Based on a Docker architecture, open development environments such as Python, C++, CUDA and ROS are supported. Up to six camera fronts can be connected to the computing unit and, per Gigabit Ethernet interface, further sensors, for example for remote sensing. All the relevant "senses" an AGV needs for safe, autonomous navigation are thus available on a central unit.

Camera head with imager from in-house development

As part of the platform solution, ifm also offers suitable, high-performance camera heads: the 2D/3D cameras feature an opening angle of 105 degrees and are equipped with the latest Time-of-Flight imager from pmd-technologies ag. This company from the ifm corporate group develops all sensors for the vision products for the automation specialist and tailors them precisely to the respective requirements.

Thanks to its modulated infrared light, the 2D/3D camera captures objects extremely accurately, even when exposed to varying ambient light.