Basler developing Time of Flight cameras

During VISION 2014 in Stuttgart, Germany, Basler presented a demonstration of its newly-developed Time of Flight (ToF) cameras, which are part of its Basler Lab initiative.

Basler’s ToF cameras are based on Panasonic CCD image sensors and have a working range of 50 cm to 5 meters, with a depth accuracy of ±1 cm. The cameras are available in sizes from VGA to 1.3 MPixel and have a GigE interface. The first model, of which there will be sample prototypes available in Q1 of 2015, is the ToF-6m. This camera features a 640 x 480 Panasonic MN34902BL sensor with an NIR light source and is able to achieve a frame rate of 30 fps.

Time of Flight technology is a measurement principle based on the time the light needs to travel from the light source to the object and back to the camera’s sensor. Both light source and image acquisition are synchronized in such a way that the distances can be extracted and calculated from the image data. Basler describes the principle as similar to the way dolphins use sonar to navigate, except the camera uses light and not sound.

Basler suggests that its ToF cameras can be used for such applications as logistics automation, robotic bin picking, autonomous vehicle navigation, and driver assistance cameras. The cameras are still in development, as the first production model is currently planned for mid-to-late 2015.

"We've just enjoyed three exciting days. The (sic) VISION in Stuttgart was an excellent opportunity to engage in conversation with potential customers and find out what the market really needs, at a point where there's still time to flow those insights into the development process," said Product Manager Phillip Dale, Basler.

View more information on Basler’s ToF cameras.

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