SVCam-EVO "Tracer" PR image (via SVS-VISTEK)
Equipping machines with their own sense of sight has been one of the many innovative steps towards the development of fully autonomous systems. Industrial machinery, and most notably robotics, is now beginning to see the world much as we do - camera lenses for eyes that provide analysis of the environment, prompting them to perform subsequent tasks. SVS-VISTEK, the German machine vision hardware and software developer, has recently announced their new SVCam-Evo “Tracer” that combines all of the cutting-edge optical interface attributes of their previous industrial-grade cameras with all of the advantages of a Micro Four Thirds controllable lens mount. Their new device aims to improve upon current machine vision standards in a smaller and more controllable format.
The Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system relates to the size of the camera’s onboard image sensor. MFT cameras, with an imaging area of 17.3mm x 13mm are also without a mirror box or pentaprism, which allows smaller camera body, designs. Its growing popularity is mostly due to the short native flange distance that supports the design of smaller lenses while maintaining universal support for any lens to be used on an MFT camera as long as the proper adapter exists.
SVS-VISTEK’s Evo Tracer is a cut above most other industrial grade cameras through the integration of its CCD Sensor powered Truesense Imaging technologies. The Micro Four Thirds lens mount is put to use by the GigE Vision interface that provides complete control over the zoom, focus, iris, and reaction time while supporting on-the-fly adjustments to FOV, illumination, and image sharpness. Frame rates of 146Hz, 85Hz, 40Hz, and 21Hz at 1, 2, 4, and 8 megapixels, respectively are supported with added auto gain and exposure control features. The small, rugged housing makes it convenient and durable for specific industrial applications.
Some possible uses for the Evo Tracer cam include: intelligent transportation systems, perimeter awareness, aerial imaging, object tracking, unique POV cinematography, and of course, a bevy of robotics applications. SDKs for Windows and Linux are provided for those interested in writing software for their own use. There’s no word on the price quite yet, though it is sure to be in the range of other high-end machine vision interfaces. Looks like it’s time to give more robots the ability to see, and the Evo Tracer’s modder-friendly design might just do the trick.
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