The application possibilities based on intelligent cameras are almost limitless. They support from automation and logistics to the visual monitoring of products and the processing of goods. Since traditional vision solutions work with a fixed set of rules, organic or rapidly changing objects are a huge challenge for them. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, can handle such situations with ease. It is therefore a popular choice when it comes to identifying products or defects as well as sorting applications and quality control. However, the hurdle for the implementation of an AI-based image processing solution is still usually quite high. IDS shows that there is another way: The all-in-one AI system IDS NXT ocean comes with all required tools and workflows, which means that users can set up their intelligent vision solution without any prior knowledge.
With the help of the IDS NXT lighthouse cloud software, even non-experts without prior knowledge of artificial intelligence or camera programming can train a neural network with their own image data. Since it is a web application, all functions and the necessary infrastructure for creating the neural network are immediately available. Users do not have to set up their own development environment, but can start training their own neural network right away. This involves three basic steps: To upload sample images, to label the images and then to start the fully automatic training. The generated network can then be executed directly on the IDS NXT industrial cameras, turning them into powerful inference cameras. These short video tutorials explain how easy the workflow is.
There is also another way: customers can also upload their own neural networks, previously trained with TensorFlow Backend, to the open platform. IDS provides special tools for the conversion into the correct format. In both cases, the neural network then runs on the industrial cameras and enables them to provide the desired information or pass on commands to machines, e.g. via REST or OPC UA.
With Microsoft Azure Cloud Services, IDS Imaging Development Systems will soon support another hoster for the AI training software IDS NXT lighthouse in addition to AWS. The offer is aimed in particular at companies that are not allowed to work with AWS due to regulatory requirements. The scope of functions and services as well as the operation of the training software is the same with both hosters.
Get started with the IDS NXT Creative Kit
If you are interested to test the all-in-one AI vision system and evaluate its impact for your applications, you should take a look at the IDS NXT creative kit. It includes all components a user needs to create, train and run a neural network, such as the embedded vision camera IDS NXT rome with its “deep ocean” AI Core and 1.6 MP Sony CMOS colour sensor, Gigabit Ethernet cable, camera power supply with necessary adapters, tripod adapter, high quality 16 mm IDS lens and a 6-month licence for the use of IDS NXT lighthouse.
