Industrial camera taps Prophesee event-driven AI sensor

A German industrial camera maker is utilizing the cutting-edge neuromorphic event-driven image sensing technology from Prophesee to introduce a new series of innovative products. The uEye EVS industrial cameras, developed by IDS Imaging Development Systems, are incorporating the Prophesee-Sony IMX636HD event-based vision sensor to bring forth advanced capabilities for industrial machine vision applications.

The neuromorphic spiking neural network approach, pioneered by Prophesee in France, enables the capture of fast-moving objects with significantly reduced data processing, power consumption, and blur compared to traditional frame-based methods. This breakthrough technology facilitates real-time machine vision processing at exceptionally high speeds, allowing for tasks such as optical monitoring of vibrations or high-speed motion analysis.

The uEye EVS camera operates by capturing only relevant events within a scene, responding solely to changes and transmitting events based on brightness alterations in its field of view for each individual sensor pixel. With a temporal resolution of less than 100 microseconds, this camera offers unparalleled precision in event detection.

Qualcomm has joined forces with Prophesee to support the development of this groundbreaking sensor technology. Additionally, the integration of neuromorphic AI in smartphones is on the horizon, showcasing the potential for widespread adoption of event-driven image sensing in various industries. Sony has also begun sampling event-driven image sensors, indicating a growing interest in this transformative technology.

The Prophesee sensor is complemented by the Metavision SDK, a comprehensive suite of software tools, AI models, APIs, and training resources designed to streamline evaluation, visualization, and customization processes. Patrick Schick, Product Owner 3D & Vision Software, highlights the exceptional temporal resolution of the cameras, emphasizing their ability to capture fast object movements without sacrificing information.

“At the same time, the sensor intelligently disregards motionless areas within its field of view, resulting in a significant reduction of data compared to traditional image-based sensors. This efficiency not only conserves memory but also enhances computing performance,” Schick explains. The collaboration between IDS and Prophesee signifies a significant advancement in machine vision technology, promising enhanced performance, power efficiency, and accuracy even in the most challenging conditions.

Luca Verre, CEO and co-founder of Prophesee, expresses enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting the added value that the incorporation of event-based vision technologies brings to IDS cameras. The new uEye EVS camera represents a culmination of joint efforts, leveraging the full potential of Prophesee sensors and development tools to deliver unparalleled benefits to customers.

Established in 1997 as a small two-man operation, IDS has grown into a prominent player in the development of 2D and 3D cameras with AI capabilities and streaming/event recording features. With its headquarters in Obersulm, Germany, the company now boasts a team of 320 employees dedicated to pushing the boundaries of machine vision technology.