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Scientists and industry experts within the OASYS project are developing an ultra-compact, energy-efficient hyperspectral camera that uses artificial intelligence to perform real-time material and quality analysis.
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This innovative device captures chemical properties invisible to the human eye, enabling rapid detection of defects in food, composition of textiles, and authenticity of plastics directly on production lines.
How the AI-Enhanced Camera Works
The camera combines conventional 2D imaging with AI and spectral analysis in a smart, efficient workflow. First, a standard 2D camera captures a high-resolution image. AI then analyzes this image in real time to identify regions of interest.
Finally, the integrated spectrometer performs a detailed spectral analysis only at these specific points. This targeted approach drastically reduces data volume, energy use, and processing time compared to traditional full-image spectral scanning.
Wide-Ranging Industrial and Agricultural Applications
The technology is designed for diverse practical applications, including:
- Recycling & Manufacturing: Reliable sorting of textiles and plastics and identification of counterfeit products.
- Food Safety: Improved quality control by detecting pressure marks, defects, and contaminants.
- Precision Agriculture: Accurate assessment of plant health and nutrient requirements.
“With the compact hyperspectral camera from OASYS A1, we are developing technology that can be used directly in production lines, sorting facilities, or in the field,” said Heinrich Engelke, project manager at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS.
He emphasized that the combination of miniaturization, energy efficiency, and AI opens new applications while contributing to resource conservation and process reliability.
A Foundation for Future Sensor Systems
The components developed in this subproject will serve as the foundation for next-generation sensor systems.
These future systems promise to significantly advance efficiency and quality control across industry, recycling, agriculture, and the food sector.
