Tokyo, March 28, 2019 - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced the development of an high-speed-camera object recognition in collaboration with partners that include Ishikawa Senoo Laboratory, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo.

This technology utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to instantaneously review large numbers of images captured by high-speed cameras operating at speeds of 1,000 frames per second in order to select the images that are most appropriate for recognition purposes, then quickly and accurately determines the success or failure of an inspection. Moreover, in order to accurately identify scratches and markings, the recognition process is repeated using a small-scale neural network, and a majority decision method is used to provide a recognition result, thereby delivering a high-speed and highly-accurate determination.

Applying this technology to a production line eliminates the need to manipulate the line in order to inspect products, enabling smooth and efficient production.

With this technology, cameras can detect small differences in printed characters of about 5 mm on an object that passes before a camera for just 0.03 seconds. Furthermore, this can be accomplished in real time with an accuracy of 95% or more.

As a result, it is possible to inspect all the products for which only sampling inspection was able to be done so far, thereby contributing to the prevention of contamination from foreign materials and enhancing the quality control of production lines. This technology is expected to be applied to the visual inspection of labels on bottles and cans that move at high speed on production lines, as well as the detection of foreign materials on pills and food products.

This technology is based partially on results obtained from a project commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

"NEC leverages advanced technologies such as biometric authentication, AI, IoT and networking services to drive business growth throughout the world," said Toshihiko Hiroaki, General Manager, NEC Corporation. "In the future, NEC will continue to create strong manufacturing management and new service businesses in response to diversifying needs by integrating manufacturing sites with digital innovation. Through these initiatives, we will collect, analyze and share data on the status of goods and processes, while working with our customers to create new value."

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high-speed-camera object recognition
https://www.nec.com/en/global/rd/technologies/201904/index.html

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