The "New Sensor Technologies" research service concerns the research and development of biologically inspired optical sensors that implement significant portions of the signal processing on the CMOS sensor chip itself. This new approach permits intelligent, compact systems that have a significantly higher time resolution than conventional video solutions, event-based "asynchronous" signaling, and a larger dynamic range. Parallel preprocessing of the signals on the sensor chip permits suppression of redundancy, significantly reducing the quantity of data to be processed and enabling the use of cost-effective process hardware for signal processing. The market demand for intelligent safety sensors that are still cost-effective in comparison with video solutions and current "smart cameras" can thus be met as well as possible.  

The computer vision algorithms necessary to utilize the specific advantages of these sensors optimally are also researched and developed in the context of this program. A particular focus is on innovative, powerful approaches to three-dimensional scene reconstruction with stereo processing.

When integrating the sensors into embedded systems, the particular challenge of implementing the infrastructure between the asynchronous sensors and the "synchronous world" of the processors is examined and solved. The resulting vision systems are new algorithmic approaches are tested collaboratively with industrial partners for safety-relevant applications in the area of surveillance, robotics, and ambient assisted living.

We offer contract research and innovations in the following fields of expertise:

• Chip design for intelligent optical sensor chips
• Development of embedded systems for customer-specific solutions
• Integration of optical stereo sensor systems
• Feasibility studies and scientific accompaniment of grant-supported contracts