Hannover Fair preview: Pepperl+Fuchs' innovative technology for 3D measurement

By Paul Heney | February 20, 2023

With the motion of the integrated MEMS mirror, the laser beam is deflected in two axes.

From industrial automation to autonomous vehicles to care robots, mastering the challenges of the future will require powerful 3D sensors that capture their surroundings quickly, comprehensively, and with millimeter precision. A technological innovation from Pepperl+Fuchs in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology ISIT enables maximum precision and performance — while remaining highly cost-efficient. For the first time, high-performance distance measurement technology is combined with MEMS technology. This forms the basis for the R3000 3-D LiDAR/MEMS sensor, which will be presented at the Hannover Messe from April 17-21, 2023.

Combining the benefits of two technologiesThe R3000 is based on Pulse Ranging Technology (PRT), a distance measurement method developed by Pepperl+Fuchs that can be scaled to meet a wide range of requirements. Based on more than 250,000 emitted laser pulses per second, it measures distances from a few centimeters to several hundred meters with millimeter accuracy. Ambient light and other environmental influences are effectively suppressed. As a result, PRT delivers fast, precise, and reliable measurement results.

To reach the third dimension with the R3000, Pepperl+Fuchs combines PRT with a micro-electro-mechanical system from Fraunhofer ISIT for the first time: A small, economical, and mechanically robust MEMS mirror is integrated into the sensor.

Through the motion of the piezoelectrically driven element, the emitted laser beam is deflected in two axes by 40° x 30°. Unlike conventional 3D sensors, no pixel grid is created during the process of measurement. Instead, the R3000 uses a particularly small light spot and seamless scanning to produce ultra-high resolution 3-D point clouds with exceptional detail.

Intuitive operation due to intelligent user guidanceTo make communication between man and machine as simple as possible, the R3000 is equipped with additional functions. The sensor not only generates a 3-D point cloud, but also a superimposed intensity image that can visualize the scene and therefore facilitate programming and operation. In addition, each measurement point can be displayed with a visible laser beam. The synchronous laser projector allows the R3000 to be precisely aligned and adjusted without additional tools, ensuring easy commissioning. This function also enables interaction between the user and the service robot, for example.

Powerful 3D measurement for the automation of the futureWith its innovative technology, the R3000 LiDAR/MEMS sensor heralds a revolution for solving complex automation tasks. Precise 3D images of unknown environments are essential for the next generation of autonomous driving — from driverless transport systems in industry to automated transport of patients in retirement and nursing homes.

With the combination of PRT and MEMS, such complex, dynamic scenes can be captured in detail in real time. This creates a comprehensive database for completely new evaluations using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. As a compact and cost-effective sensor, the R3000 makes high-precision 3D measurements available for a vast range of applications. In combination with advanced algorithms, the sensor will significantly drive development in the field of autonomous vehicles and service robotics — not only in manufacturing plants, hospitals or nursing homes, but in all areas of life.

Pepperl+Fuchswww.pepperl-fuchs.com