To win in the 3D sensing market, performance is a key factor. At the same time, the cost and the ecosystem are also vital. Microsoft has announced the best in class ToF performance specs in recent years. Unfortunately, industrialization is slow. The good news is that Microsoft has started a new partnership and targets to enter industrial markets now.
D3 Engineering announces its collaboration with Microsoft’s Azure Depth Platform program, setup to provide access to Microsoft’s ToF technology to a 3rd party ecosystem. This technology, developed for use in Hololens and Kinect, will allow D3 Engineering to create embedded spatial sensing systems, and deliver customized depth camera modules for camera makers and other OEMs. Further, by integrating with Microsoft’s Azure cloud-based learning and algorithms, the technology can be leveraged to increase effectiveness.
“Microsoft’s advanced Time of Flight technology is highly desirable in a whole host of applications beyond the previous successful use cases in Gaming and Mixed Reality,” said Tom Mayo, Product Manager for Spatial Sensing at D3 Engineering. “D3 Engineering is excited to bring our extensive experience in embedded sensing systems design to provide solutions based on Microsoft’s technology. In our collaboration with Microsoft, we look forward to creating new, innovative sensing solutions for our customers.”
D3 Engineering’s unique advantages include a U.S.-based design and engineering team as well as expertise in design and integration with ToF, radar, optics, and motion control.
“We welcome D3 Engineering as Microsoft’s partner in solving customer challenges using our 3D sensing technology and Azure,” said Daniel Bar, head of business incubation for the Silicon & Sensor’s group at Microsoft. “Their experience in embedded system development and understanding of our platform combined with our Computer Vision and AI expertise will help democratize cloud connected 3D cameras.”
PRNewswire: Leopard Imaging announces its collaboration with Microsoft’s Azure Depth Platform program, aimed at democratizing cloud-connected 3D vision. In this collaboration, Leopard Imaging is developing 3D industrial cameras, which can securely connect with Azure Intelligent Edge and Intelligent Cloud platforms for a broad set of technologies and industry solutions.
“Leopard Imaging is adopting Microsoft’s ToF because of its clear advantages over competing technologies — providing high quality data with low artifacts, higher accuracy, lower jitter, and low power. By powering 3D camera solutions with Microsoft ToF, we want to stay competitive and continue to lead in this space. This collaboration will accelerate our growth and provide powerful solutions for our valued customers,” says Bill Pu, President and Co-Founder of Leopard Imaging.
“Microsoft’s collaboration with Leopard Imaging, as part of the Azure Depth Platform program, will light up 3D applications in new industrial scenarios and foster cloud connected innovation,” said Cyrus Bamji, Partner Hardware Architect at Microsoft.
Earlier, Microsoft also announced a partnership with SICK on industrial ToF cameras:
SICK’s latest industrial 3DToF camera Visionary-T Mini is expected to be available for sales in early 2021. Visionary-T Mini incorporates a version of Microsoft’s 3D ToF technology with an extended dynamic range and a resolution of ~510 x 420 pixels. It will offer on-device processing infrastructure and tools not currently available with Azure Kinect DK, to include, but not limited to: 24/7 robustness, industrial interfaces, enhanced resolution with sharper depth images and enhanced depth quality.
Credit:
- Imaging sensor world blog
