Stereo 3D Cameras: The Future of Load Volume Scanners

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At Tolveet, we have developed the Load Volume Scanner (LVS), an advanced solution that utilizes stereo 3D cameras to generate highly precise point clouds of dump trucks carrying bulk materials, such as mining ore and aggregates. This innovative technology ensures accurate load volume estimation, delivering unmatched efficiency and reliability in bulk material transport analysis.

This article aims to explain why stereo 3D cameras, enhanced with advanced computer vision algorithms, are a superior choice over Lidar for load volume scanning across industries handling bulk materials. While Lidar has certain out-of-the-box advantages, Tolveet’s internally developed and unmatched software-driven stereo approach delivers unparalleled performance in challenging environments.

“Load Volume Scanners: Stereo vs Lidar” — By DALL·E 3

Understanding the Technologies: Stereo vs. Lidar

  • Stereo 3D Cameras use depth, color, and infrared streams to generate a detailed 3D model. With the addition of cutting-edge computer vision algorithms, these systems overcome inherent hardware limitations to deliver exceptional accuracy.
  • Lidar, on the other hand, collects raw point cloud data using laser pulses. Most solutions assemble 3D models based on 2D slices and speed measurements obtained from separate sensors. While accurate without post-processing, this approach lacks the flexibility and depth provided by stereo systems enhanced with software.

Why Stereo Excels in Load Volume Scanning

Superior Depth Map Refinement
  • Raw stereo depth maps are generally less accurate than the initial outputs of LiDAR. However, Tolveet’s proprietary computer vision algorithms, including neural networks, refine and correct these depth maps.
  • Our system leverages instance segmentation models and historical data with manually corrected maps aligned with color streams to improve depth accuracy.
  • Unlike Lidar, which relies on simpler assembly techniques, stereo systems enhanced with advanced software produce highly accurate point clouds optimized for volumetric measurement.
Multi-Modal Data for Labeled Point Clouds
  • Stereo systems collect synchronized streams of depth, color, and infrared data. This allows for labeled point clouds, where each point is tied to specific truck components or load sections.
  • Lidar lacks this capability natively, requiring additional sensors or manual intervention to achieve similar labeling.
Robustness in Challenging Environments
  • Industries such as mining and aggregates pose unique challenges, including dust particles, rain, and reflections. Tolveet’s stereo solution, enhanced with real-time noise filtering and adaptive algorithms, performs reliably under these conditions.
  • Lidar, while accurate in controlled settings, often struggles with reflections and particulate interference, leading to degraded data quality in bulk material environments.
Cost Efficiency and Durability
  • Lidar systems are significantly more expensive than stereo cameras, with replacement costs up to 20 times higher.
  • In environments where equipment is prone to accidental damage, the affordability and durability of stereo systems make them a more practical choice.

The Tolveet Advantage: Advanced Software Capabilities

Tolveet’s Load Volume Scanner stands out due to its cutting-edge software, specifically designed using the latest stereo technology:

Frame Selection and Temporal Alignment

A subset of frames is intelligently selected based on points of interest inferred from truck parts and the location of key labels. Using advanced computer vision speed estimation techniques, these frames are transformed to a common temporal point, ensuring accurate 3D reconstruction.

Dynamic Depth Correction

Neural networks trained on aligned depth and color maps dynamically adjust and enhance the depth data, addressing inconsistencies and ensuring precise measurements.

Volumetric Measurement Optimization

Our advanced algorithms analyze the labeled point clouds to deliver accurate load volumes. The inclusion of labeled data provides insights into load distribution, particle analysis, and material classification that are unattainable with raw Lidar data.

Truck Load 3D Mesh Reconstruction

Addressing Lidar’s Perceived Advantages

Raw Data Accuracy
  • Lidar’s raw data is more accurate initially, but the multi-stream approach of stereo’s advanced post-processing ensures comparable, if not superior, results.
  • By leveraging historical data, Tolveet’s stereo solution trains cameras to measure distances specifically within the context of load volumetric measurements. This continuous learning approach allows the system to adapt and improve over time, effectively addressing new challenges.
Simpler Software Requirements
  • Lidar requires less sophisticated software for basic point cloud generation, but this simplicity comes at the cost of flexibility and adaptability.
  • Stereo systems, powered by advanced algorithms, offer a more versatile solution capable of handling complex scenarios.
Future-Ready Technology
  • As industries increasingly adopt machine learning and AI, stereo technology’s ability to learn and adapt makes it a future-proof choice.
  • Lidar, with its static hardware-based approach, lacks this adaptability.

A Testament to Its Potential

Tesla’s decision to use stereo vision over Lidar for its autonomous vehicles highlights the technology’s advantages:

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Stereo cameras are significantly more affordable and scalable than Lidar.
  • Software-Driven Precision: Tesla’s reliance on software improvements aligns with Tolveet’s approach, showcasing the power of post-processing to enhance hardware performance.
  • Adaptability: Stereo’s ability to learn and evolve ensures it remains relevant as technology advances.

Additionally, as noted in a Voltequity article, Lidar’s inherent limitations in scalability and cost have led to its decreasing adoption in various industries, further emphasizing the need for software-driven stereo solutions (source).

Focusing on Volumetric Measurement: The End Goal

For clients seeking load volume scanners, the primary objective is accurate volumetric measurement. Stereo systems excel in this area due to their:

Integration of Labeled Data: The synchronized streams enable more detailed analyses and provide greater opportunities for post-processing improvements, offering valuable insights into load distribution and truck dynamics.

Learning Capabilities: Advanced computer vision algorithms allow the system to improve over time, delivering progressively better results.

Cost-Effective Accuracy: By combining affordability with state-of-the-art software, stereo systems offer unmatched value for volumetric measurement in industries handling bulk materials.

Conclusion

Stereo 3D cameras, enhanced with Tolveet’s advanced computer vision algorithms, are the future of load volume scanning across industries such as mining and aggregates. While Lidar has certain strengths, the flexibility, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness of stereo systems make them the superior choice for challenging environments. By choosing Tolveet’s Load Volume Scanner, you invest in a proven, internally developed solution that delivers precise volumetric measurements while remaining practical and economical. Our technology is not only ready for today’s challenges but also equipped to adapt and excel in the future.