Novel optical imaging sensors for robotic manufacturing

This project will investigate novel sensor concepts applying prior knowledge of surface shape, and/or new imaging technologies (such as range imaging via time-of-flight sensors - as used in Microsoft's Kinect sensor) and techniques (such as shape/range imaging via multi-wavelength illumination) to provide complementary information and improve the laser-speckle sensor accuracy. To achieve this, the project aims to develop a flexible model of the laser speckle behaviour capable of simulating a variety of conditions (e.g. structured or shaped surfaces, and multiple or modulated illumination wavelength) and signal processing schemes used in range/volumetric imaging techniques, in addition to the practical implementation and testing of sensor concepts.