Dual shows, vision and sensors, team to highlight innovation

摘要

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the biannual Vision Show and the companion annual Sensor Expo in Chicago, with emphasis oninnovative vision and sensor products introduced. Design/methodology/approach – This paper includes in-depth interviews with exhibitors of vision and sensor products. Findings – Wireless sensors and companion technologies such as energy harvesting and storage are the cutting edge today. In vision, 3D vision is thehot technology, finding objects in space rather than just looking at a flat picture. Practical implications – System designers now have the freedom to place sensors in locations which might previously have been out of the questiondo to cabling problems. With wireless, location is no longer a criterion. Energy harvesting and storage right at the device insures continuous operationwithout the need for battery replacement. Originality/value – The paper shows how 3D vision now makes it possible to operate and inspect in the real world rather than just in a flat plain.Robotic operations such as random location or bin picking are now everyday possibilities.