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Rockwell buys Scottish 3D imaging specialist, Odos
Published:  04 December, 2017

Rockwell Automation has bought Odos Imaging, a Scottish company that develops and manufactures three-dimensional, time-of-flight sensing systems for industrial imaging applications. Details of the transaction have not been released.

“This acquisition enables us to build on our portfolio of smart sensing and safety products – an important part of the foundation for the Connected Enterprise,” says Lee Lane, vice-president and general manager of Rockwell’s safety, sensing and connectivity business. “It enables us to expand our existing capabilities by bringing 3D time-of-flight sensor technology to industrial applications.”

Edinburgh-based Odos Imaging, founded in 2010, produces cameras for industrial and scientific applications. Its core technologies are 3D time-of-flight and freeze motion systems for logistics, automation, agriculture and other demanding applications.

Odos’ 3D time-of-flight cameras provide range and intensity measurements for each pixel over an entire image. By capturing registered range (3D) and intensity (2D) images, the cameras open up new ways of extracting information from images. For example, 2D images can be used to extract feature and edge information which can then be combined with the 3D range data to build a full understanding of any scene.

Odos Imaging's 3D time-of-flight cameras are said to open up new ways of extracting information from images

This capability can be used in applications such as automated palletising, carton and object volume or sizing, fruit measurement, pick location and fill volume measurement.

“We are delighted to be joining Rockwell Automation and to continue the development of 3D imaging solutions for industrial applications,” says Odos Imaging’s CEO, Chris Yates. “Rockwell Automation is a company we have long admired for its ongoing commitment to innovation and substantial domain expertise. We very much look forward to playing our part in the ongoing strategy and helping to achieve the vision of a productive and sustainable future.”