Research Area

Industrial Metrology Sensors and Robotics

Development and use of contactless - mainly image-based - methods for surveying and navigation purposes, as well as for the inspection of workpieces and materials in the production processes.

Highlights

The research group Machine Vision Applications will (visually) accompany the European/Russian Mars rover, ExoMars, in 2019 – guided by 3D Vision products from images taken by the panoramic stereo camera. The Rovers's environment will be reconstructed at the highest quality in three-dimensions and visualized in cooperation with the VRVis Center for Virtual Reality and Visualization Research GmbH (Vienna).

Imaging sensors

Since the invention of the digital camera, imaging sensors have found their way into industry, everyday life, and research. In particular, in cases where precise measurements, quick and logical decisions and a connection to computer systems for the control of processes are necessary, cameras - often used in conjunction with other sensors such as acoustics, laser scanners or geodetic instruments, but also through the intelligent placement of sensors by means of robots - can provide new mode of analyses and help users take swift action.

Visual and acoustic measurement methods

Machine Vision (MV) and the related, but distinct, field of Computer Vision (CV) refer to the development of technology and methods that allow the automatic inspection and analysis of images for industrial production purposes (MV), or the duplication of the ability of humans to visually describe its environment (CV).

The research group Machine Vision Applications uses various vision technologies for applications in industrial inspection and visual perception-based robotics.

The research group Intelligent Acoustic Solutions develops acoustic testing methods for the inspection of materials. These contactless techniques are best used for measurement of surfaces, to identify faults on products, and to control robotic equipment. The visual and acoustic measurement methods are as useful when surveying tunnels as they are when planning a set of wooden stairs. They are used in Mars rovers for navigation and mapping purposes and measure the amount of precipitation with so-called "distrometers".

The automated visual inspection of metal surfaces helps control the production processes in steel plants, and products such as parquet flooring can be checked during the production process in a matter of seconds for quality and faults. Human labor is not completely replaced, but production can be up-scaled, resulting in increasingly competitive domestic industries thanks to research achievements by the DIGITAL Institute.

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