How to use an Intelligent Camera without Prior Knowledge

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 which are able to provide the desired information or pass on commands to machines, e.g. via REST or OPC UA.

Free IDS NXT lighthouse trial month for all customers

How easy and convenient is the tool in reality? Interested parties can now judge for themselves. The company allows all customers to activate a free trial month and extensively test IDS NXT lighthouse. No sales contact is required to activate the full trial licence. All they have to do is register with their IDS user account at IDS NXT lighthouse and select the appropriate option during the process. The licence key is automatically provided.

With Microsoft Azure Cloud Services, IDS Imaging Development Systems now also supports 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.