evopro
Depending on the application, industrial machine vision places very different demands on computing power and hardware – ranging from compact cameras directly at the machine to high-performance servers. This often involves different platforms and development environments, which increases engineering effort. For its new Vision automation platform, evopro systems engineering AG relies on ctrlX OS. Combined with the VISIONWEBx vision software, this creates a seamless software foundation on which vision applications can be operated and scaled.
A single software foundation for different performance classes
VISIONWEBx is being ported to ctrlX OS and will be available as an app in the ctrlX OS Store. With evopro’s browser-based development and runtime environment, visual workflows can be created, configured, and operated. Because ctrlX OS serves as a hardware-independent operating system, this environment can be used across various device and performance classes.
For example, a vision application can start directly on evoVIU VIUx at the machine and, as requirements grow, be scaled to run on a ctrlX CORE, a more powerful ctrlX IPC with GPU, or a server running the virtual version of ctrlX OS. Throughout this, the development environment and application expertise remain identical. This allows computing power and hardware to be adapted to changing requirements without having to redevelop the vision solution for each device class.
Software-defined camera combines vision and automation
With evoVIU VIUx, evopro transfers the smart camera principle into the software-defined camera device class. It captures and processes image data right where it is generated, providing the results with low latency for automated processes and AI-driven decisions.
An NXP i.MX95 processor and a Hailo-8 AI accelerator provide the computing power required for demanding machine vision and edge AI applications. Various sensor options – from SWIR and high-resolution global shutter sensors to ToF for 3D depth sensing – enable its use in a wide range of industrial machine vision tasks. Automation components, including motion axes, can be integrated via EtherCAT. Separate interfaces connect the camera to IT and OT networks.
Advantages of the solution
- Unified development and runtime environment: VISIONWEBx can be used across different hardware platforms running ctrlX OS.
- Scalable computing power: Vision applications can scale seamlessly from the software-defined camera to ctrlX CORE, ctrlX IPC, and up to the server level.
- Hardware-independent approach: Computing power and hardware can be adapted to changing requirements without the need to redevelop the vision solution for every device class.
- Open, app-based architecture: The architecture combines vision and AI with automation and communication features on a single platform.
- Significant savings in space and procurement costs: Thanks to the combined machine vision system.
Areas of application
The platform covers a broad spectrum of industrial applications.
Manufacturing and Quality inspection
From component inspection with measurement, OCR, barcode and DataMatrix reading to AI-supported defect detection, a wide variety of testing tasks can be implemented on a unified platform. Results are available in real time for quality management, traceability, and process optimization.
Robotics and Automation
Image data can be used instantly to control automated processes. Applications range from object detection and position determination to pick-and-place processes and robot guidance. By combining machine vision and control functions, decisions can be made directly based on visual information.
Intralogistics
Objects, containers, and load carriers can be reliably identified, tracked, and documented. Material flows become transparent and can be linked to process data. Special event cameras enable privacy-compliant motion and event capture while simultaneously providing valuable data for process optimization.
Agriculture
Thanks to its robust IP67 design, VIUx is ideally suited for use in agricultural machinery, commercial vehicles, and mobile equipment. Applications range from plant and weed detection to yield analysis and the automated control of agricultural processes. Decisions can be made and executed directly on the vehicle.
Flexibly expanding vision and AI functions
In parallel with the OEM partnership, evopro is joining the partner network ctrlX World and providing VISIONWEBx as an app for ctrlX OS. This allows the vision software to be linked with and expanded by other applications from the ctrlX OS Ecosystem.
“For Physical AI, machine vision, AI, and automation must interact seamlessly. The crucial factor is not only capturing and analyzing information from the environment but also making it immediately usable for automated processes. The open software architecture gives us the opportunity to flexibly combine vision and AI functions with other automation features.”
– Stefan Kraus, Head of Product Development and Product Manager evoVIU at evopro systems engineering AG
About evopro systems engineering AG
evopro systems engineering AG is a specialist in cross-technology solutions for industrial environments. The company belongs to the Bertrandt Group and combines custom development expertise with a growing portfolio of proprietary products. In addition to developing customized system solutions based on specific customer requirements, evopro’s offering also includes high-performance, independent solutions for the industrial sector. The company’s portfolio spans the business areas of automation, mechanical engineering, software, machine vision, electronics, as well as measurement and testing technology, catering to a wide range of industries.
As a ctrlX OS OEM partner, evopro relies on ctrlX OS for its new Vision automation platform. At the same time, the company is joining the partner network ctrlX World and offering VISIONWEBx as an app for ctrlX OS.
