From industrial automation to autonomous vehicles to care robots: The envisioned solutions of the near future require powerful 3D sensors that measure their environment quickly, comprehensively and as precisely as possible. Pepperl+Fuchs has now developed such a sensor in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology ISIT to enable maximum precision and performance - while at the same time being cost-efficient - with this technical innovation. The R3000 3-D LiDAR/MEMS sensor will be presented to the public for the first time at HANNOVER MESSE 2023.

The best of both worlds

The R3000 is based on Pulse Ranging Technology (PRT), a distance measurement method developed by Pepperl+Fuchs that is scalable to meet a wide range of requirements. Based on more than 250,000 emitted laser pulses per second, it can be used to measure distances from a few centimeters to several hundred meters with millimeter precision. Sources of interference such as extraneous light and other ambient influences are effectively suppressed. The PRT thus delivers fast, precise and reliable measurement results.

3D point clouds with extraordinary detail accuracy

In order to be able to capture the third dimension with the R3000, Pepperl+Fuchs has combined the PRT for the first time with a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) from Fraunhofer ISIT, a small, cost-effective and mechanically robust MEMS mirror. Integrated into the sensor, the movement of the piezoelectrically driven element provides a deflection of the emitted laser beam in two axes (40 degrees x 30 degrees). Unlike conventional 3D sensors, no pixel grid is created when the measurement field is acquired; instead, the R3000 uses a particularly small light spot and gapless scanning to generate ultra-high-resolution 3D point clouds with exceptional detail.

Intuitive operation thanks to intelligent user guidance

To make communication between man and machine as simple as possible, Pepperl+Fuchs has equipped the R3000 with additional functions. For example, in addition to the 3D point cloud, a superimposed intensity image is generated that can visualize the scene and thus facilitate programming and operation. In addition, each measurement point can also be displayed with a visible laser beam. The synchronous laser projector allows the R3000 to be precisely aligned and adjusted without any additional tools, ensuring easy commissioning. In addition, this function also enables interaction between the user and the service robot, for example.

Powerful 3D measurement for the automation of the future

With the innovative technology of the R3000 LiDAR/MEMS sensor, complex, dynamic structures can thus be easily captured in real time; Pepperl+Fuchs even speaks of a revolution for solving complex automation tasks. This is because the captured data also forms a comprehensive basis for completely new evaluations using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. At the same time, as a compact and cost-effective sensor, the R3000 makes high-precision 3D measurements available for applications on a broad scale for the first time. In combination with the latest algorithms, the sensor is expected to significantly drive developments in the field of autonomous vehicles and service robotics - not only in manufacturing plants, hospitals or nursing homes, but in all areas of life.

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