NSF Award
1534745
The broader impact/commercial potential of this project stems from the possibility of<br/>obtaining real-time precise 3D depth information using a miniature robust sensor system<br/>opening up a myriad of opportunities for commercial application. Imaging sensors are<br/>now widespread and inexpensive, as is computing power, already an integral part of<br/>most cameras. The 3D imaging sensor to be developed enables disruptive applications<br/>for manufacturing, robotics, human-machine interfaces, unmanned aerial vehicles, and<br/>emerging 3D scanners.<br/><br/>This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 project is focused on the<br/>design, development, and testing of a miniature, robust, low-cost optical imaging sensor<br/>system capable of acquiring three-dimensional (3D) information from a scene with high<br/>precision and accuracy, overcoming current state-of-the-art technologies. The sensor<br/>provides, from a single shot, an image and a depth map; associating each object<br/>feature with its precise 3D location. With the advances in sensing technology, 3D<br/>information is increasingly incorporated into real-world applications?from<br/>manufacturing to entertainment and security. The proposed sensor provides<br/>improvements in depth resolution while being fast, compact, lightweight, and amenable<br/>for mass production at low cost.
