Vision system provides 3D replay capabilities at Super Bowl 50
A vision system that features 36 industrial cameras and proprietary algorithms was installed at Levi's Stadium at Super Bowl 50 to provide an immersive, 3D look at game replays throughout the broadcast.
Replay Technologies' (Newark, CA, USA;www.replay-technologies.com) freeD (free dimensional video) uses 36 Spark Series SP-20000 industrial cameras from JAI (San Jose, CA, USA; www.jai.com) that are mounted around the around the upper level of the stadium to continuously capture the action from every angle. SP-20000 cameras feature the 20MPixel CMV20000 CMOS image sensor from CMOSIS (Antwerp, Belgium; www.cmosis.com), which features a 6.4μm pixel size. The cameras also feature a high dynamic range mode to handle outdoor conditions. The specific model used for the system was an SP-20000C-PMCL color camera with a dual mini-Camera Link interface.
Synchronized feeds of high-resolution video are processed using algorithms from Replay Technologies to create a 3D database of voxels. After the freeD database is created, an interactive rendering engine allows for the viewing of the captured scene from any desired angle (as long as it is within the coverage range of the original sensors).
CBS dubbed the system "Eye Vision 360," a reference to both its vision capabilities and the iconic CBS "eye" logo. The broadcast team used the system for multiple replays throughout the game, including the breaking of an imaginary "goal plane" to confirm one of the Denver Broncos' touchdowns. This ability to view the scene from different angles, according to JAI, gave TV audiences an experience that have previously only seen in motion picture special effects, such as those pioneered in the motion picture "The Matrix."
USB 3.0 camera captures images of the sun
In seeking a camera for his work in hydrogen alpha solar imaging, Dr. Stuart Green, a British amateur astronomer, contacted Multipix Imaging (Petersfield, England;www.multipix.com) for advice. Multipix Imaging suggested using the acA1920-155um camera from Basler (Ahrensburg, Germany; www.baslerweb.com), a USB 3.0 camera that features an IMX174 CMOS image sensor from Sony (Tokyo, Japan; www.sony.com with a 2.3MPixel global shutter sensor and a 5.86μm pixel size.
The camera's frame rates and shutter speeds (typically 6ms), allowed much of the atmospheric turbulence to be captured. This is useful when further processing using image stacking software is required. Additionally, the camera's dynamic range and sensitivity allows for the capturing of surface details and faint prominences within the same images.
Green used the telescope for solar chromospheric imaging in the hydrogen-alpha waveband at 656.28 nm. Along with the camera, Green's telescope was fitted with specialized optical filters used for solar imaging.
"I was concerned that the CMOS imager would display Newton's rings (a refraction/reflection phenomenon of concentric rings). However, I have found these to be minimal and, if present, can be overcome by slightly tilting the camera in the eye piece," says Green.
Boston Dynamics introduces next generation humanoid robot
Originally introduced in 2013, the Atlas humanoid robot from Google-owned Boston Dynamics (Waltham, MA, USA;www.bostondynamics.com) has been given an upgrade. A demonstration of the robot in operation can be found at www.bit.ly/1XLsk5S. In the video, Boston Dynamics demonstrates the robot operating both outdoors and inside buildings, Atlas can be seen walking outdoors in the snow, picking up 10lb. boxes in a warehouse, adjusting itself after slipping or being pushed, and even picking itself backup after an employee knocked it down to the ground.
The original version of the vision-guided Atlas robot stands approximately 6ft tall and weighs 330lbs. It has four hydraulically-actuated limbs, blue LED illumination, and is made of aluminum and titanium. This system had a head-mounted MultiSense-SL 3D data sensor package, which is comprised of a Hokuyo (Osaka, Japan;www.hokuyo-aut.jp) UTM-30LX-EW laser and a Carnegie Robotics (Pittsburgh, PA, USA; www.carnegierobotics.com) MultiSense S7 stereo camera. The camera is fitted with either a 2MPixel CMV2000 or 4 MPixel CMV4000 CMOS image sensor from CMOSIS (Antwerp, Belgium; www.cmosis.com).
While little information on the new version of Atlas has been disseminated, Boston Dynamics does note that the next generation Atlas also features sensors to balance its body and legs and LIDAR and stereo sensors to avoid obstacles.
