Object and Shape Detection

In the »Object and Shape Detection« business unit, systems are developed for 3D detection of the geometry and location of objects. As a rule, the detection takes place from moving platforms and extends over a wide distance range – from tenths of a millimeter to the 100-meter range. The focus is on the research and development of very fast and robust measuring systems based on time-of-flight measurement technology or camera systems.

The spectrum of our customized measuring systems ranges from highly complex multispectral laser scanners to smartphones as measuring devices, which we equip with specially developed software for this purpose.

When evaluating data, we take advantage of the opportunities offered by current groundbreaking developments in machine learning. With the help of specifically trained artificial neural networks, we are able to automatically identify a large number of object classes and object surfaces in measurement data. This enables us to extract maximum information from measurement data and to gain new information from existing measurement results. Our turnkey systems consist of high-precision measuring devices with downstream automated data analysis.

Digitalized planning and maintenance of civil infrastructure

Our measurement systems contribute to efficient infrastructure planning and maintenance, e.g. in the rail and road network, when inspecting tunnels, bridges or buildings. They provide high-precision digital measurement data as the basis for digital planning processes, for example in the context of smart cities. In addition to geometric measurements, our systems are able to detect moisture from a distance and also inspect objects under water. This makes it possible, for example, to assess the condition of vegetation quickly and over large areas.

Our offer in the imaging object and shape detection
 

• Development of tailor-made measuring systems
• Software development along the entire 3D data process chain
• Development of artifical neural networks (ANN) for automated data analysis
  
• Technology consulting and evaluation
• Feasibility studies and aptitude tests

Systems in operation

Our mobile laser scanner systems are used for condition monitoring by leading 3D measurement technology providers, by Deutsche Bahn (DB), Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) and numerous other railway operators worldwide. Service companies and network operators such as Deutsche Telekom rely on measurement vehicles equipped with our multi-sensor systems to record the condition of roads and to digitize planning process for expansion of the fibre optic network . The German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) uses our measuring systems as reference devices. Mobile laser scanner systems by Fraunhofer IPM are world leaders in terms of measurement speed and accuracy and are continuously being further developed using highly integrated and low-cost components from communication electronics.