Seeing more – long-range, high-definition, moving 3D imaging in daylight

This project will enable Aralia Systems to develop 3D imaging technology for moving objects at very long range (100s metres) outside in daylight. This is currently not possible. The team has previously demonstrated how by controlling a network of existing near-IR illuminators and cameras, photometric stereo (PS), a shape from shading technique, can be used to capture high-resolution moving 3D images in an indoor environment. The project is timely as it will explore the feasibility of exploiting an exciting recent development in camera sensor technology, known as black silicon. Black silicon imaging allows the capture of artificially illuminated images in a depressed region of the solar spectrum (at 940nm) by using controlled LEDs and eye-safe lasers. This allows the use of PS to create information rich 3D hotspots that can be placed anywhere within a monitored environment. This development could allow a step change in the use of moving 3D imaging outdoors. This will enable Aralia to develop enhanced visualisation and threat detection software in surveillance applications.