We can’t see it, but it’s giving us an ever clearer view:
Three-dimensional imaging will be all around us in the future
– in smart cities, autonomous driving or the intelligent
office. In the European VIZTA project, ALTER TECHNOLOGY
is helping to ensure that the technology will enhance the
quality and sustainability of our life and work.
VIZTA stands for “Vision, Identification, with Z-sensing
Technologies and key Applications’’. 23 partners from nine
EU countries are developing new optical sensors and laser
sources for three-dimensional near and far imaging in this
EU-funded project. “The VIZTA project aims to develop
innovative technologies in 3D sensing, including both
hardware and perception software, and to demonstrate
their value in a wide range of applications,’’ says Dr. Pawel
Adamiec, VIZTA project manager at ALTER TECHNOLOGY.
The challenge is this: 3D imaging isn’t yet in large-scale use
because the competitive technology needed for intelligent
3D optical sensors is still lacking. However, the need –
and, consequently, the markets – are there: for inline 3D
controls for industry, to improve perceptual capabilities in
robotics, and to generate the 3D experience in the consumer
and gaming industries. There are also many conceivable
applications in smart city concepts.
For example, 3D sensing could be used to count people
and traffic. “Urban spaces could be planned based on
traffic flow,’’ Adamiec says. Intelligent traffic management
might be able to eliminate congestion. In closed buildings,
the available space could be used more efficiently with
intelligent counting. Here, the added value of 3D sensor
technology lies not only in data precision, but also in data
protection. People are captured anonymously in 3D images,
and actually identifying them would require in-depth analysis
using artificial intelligence.