Fish Eye Lenses

Introduction: The Expanding Horizons of Machine Vision Technology

In the fast-moving world of machine vision, optical lenses are at the center of making machines perceive surroundings and what comes out of that perception. Fish eye lenses stand out of many types due to their capabilities of ultra-wide fields of view, making them important in an extensive array of applications, which includes industrial automation, surveillance, and robotics.

The demand for innovative optical solutions, such as fish eye lenses, is persistently growing with the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence and computer vision by various industries to optimize processes. According to a report by Markets and Markets, the global machine vision market is expected to reach a value of USD 18.24 billion by 2027, moving at a growth rate wowed by higher automation and integration of vision systems in manufacturing and logistics.

This blog will explain how fish eye lenses are changing machine vision, what fundamental features distinguish them, and what great breadth of applications they can provide. We also go over how Hangzhou Ai Ke Electronics Co., Ltd. (AICO) leads in state-of-the-art fish eye lenses in machine vision applications.

What Makes Fish eye Lenses Unique?  

1. The Science Behind the Curved Optics

Fish eye lenses employ extremely curved optics that bend light to capture a super-wide FoV, sometimes even beyond 230 degrees. While other lenses try not to show the least distortion possible, the fish eye ones, however, use that characteristic to display a hemispherical view.

Because this is done intentionally, it makes a fish eye lens ideal in the case of machine vision whenever one wants the “big picture.” For example, in robotics, ultra-wide FoV allows machines to navigate in complex environments with minimal blind spots.

2. Key Features of Fish eye Lenses  

Wide Field of View (FoV): Common FoV ranges from 180 to 230 degrees, making the fish eye lens good for both panoramic and omnidirectional imaging.

Compact Design: In spite of having a wide FoV, fish eye lenses are usually compact and small, hence easily integratable into compact devices such as drones or surveillance cameras.

High-Resolution Imaging: Modern fish-eye lenses, like the ones manufactured by AICO, can handle up to 16 megapixel resolutions, ensuring that ultra-wide images come out sharp and detailed.

Durability: Fish eye lenses are designed to operate in extreme environmental conditions, just like AICO’s IP69K-rated fish eye lenses; thus, they are particularly useful for many industrial and outdoor applications.

Revolutionizing Machine Vision Using Fish eye Lenses

1. Industrial Automation and Quality Control  

Fish eye lenses enhance the robotic vision in industrial automation. With such robotic vision, several things can be performed by a robot, for instance:

Object Recognition: All kinds of identification and sorting on conveyor belts.

Quality Inspection: It detects defects or any kind of abnormality in manufactured products with one single wide-angle view, hence avoiding the need for multiple cameras.

2. Surveillance and Security  

In surveillance, fish eye lenses are a game-changer in the domain of panoramic security cameras. A single camera with a fish eye lens can replace multiple conventional cameras at significantly reduced costs, without blind spots-a feature particularly valued in:

Airports and Transportation Hubs: Surveillance of large areas, such as terminals or platforms.

 Retail Stores: Customer movement tracking for security and analytics.

3. Autonomous Vehicles and Robotics

Fish eye lenses play a critical role in autonomous navigation systems, which afford self-driving cars and drones a 360-degree perspective. This wider field of view provides superior obstacle detection, path planning, and spatial awareness.

A study by Research and Markets points out that the adoption of fish eye lenses is rising in automotive applications due to panoramic view enhancements to safety features including blind-spot detection and parking assistance.

4. Medical Imaging and Telemedicine

In healthcare, fish eye lenses are finding applications in endoscopy and telemedicine. Their ultra-wide FoV enables doctors to examine larger areas with fewer adjustments, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

Advances in Fish eye Lens Technology  

1. High-Resolution and HDR Imaging

Thanks to an upgrade in sensor technology, the resolution for fish eye lenses is up to 5K and more so that ultra-wide images guarantee clarity even with detailed zooming.

2. Enhanced Distortion Correction

Nowadays, fish eye distortion real-time correction can be made possible with the help of advanced software algorithms: hemisphere images will transform into a plane, rectilinear view. Especially fantastic in those machine vision systems based on exact measurements.

3. Miniaturization for Compact Devices

The miniaturization trend has shrunk fish eye lenses down to a size and weight that enables their installation on compact devices, including wearable cameras, drones, and robotic arms.

4. Environmental Durability

The Fish eye lenses, like the IP69K-rated ones provided by AICO, are made resistant to the most adverse ambient conditions: extreme temperatures, immersion in water, and exposure to dust. That’s why they perfectly fit both industrial and outdoor uses.

AICO’s Fish eye Lenses: Rebuilding Machine Vision

Hangzhou Ai Ke Electronics Co., Ltd. is a leading company in optical innovation, with a series of high-performance fish eye lenses for machine vision applications. With more than 20 years of experience, AICO combines advanced technology with the most stringent quality control to provide lenses that excel in both performance and durability.

AICO’s Flagship Fish eye Lenses

1/1.7 inch 1.85mm F2.0 12mp 4k M12 fish eye lens

1. 1/2.3″ 1.2mm F2.5 16mp 220 Degree 4K M12 Fisheye Lens

 Field of View: 220 degrees

 Resolution: 16 MP

Applications: High-definition panoramic imaging, robotics

2. 1/3.2″ 1.08mm F2.4 10MP 200° 4K M12 Fisheye lens

Field of View: 200 degrees

Special Feature: ICR switcher for day/night functionality

Applications: Surveillance and security systems

3. IP69K 1/2.5″ 1.32mm F1.5 215° Megapixel M12 Fisheye Lens  

 Durability: For harsh environments

Field of View: 215 degrees

Applications: Industrial automation, outdoor surveillance

Why Choose AICO?

Comprehensive Solutions: AICO offers lenses for diversified applications-from machine vision to medical imaging.

Custom Design: OEM and ODM services guarantee to meet lenses according to specific customer needs.

Quality Assurance: ISO-certified production ensures quality is a matter of course.

As a result, AICO’s cutting-edge production and innovative R&D have come to provide fish eye lenses that guarantee unparalleled performance and reliability in business.

Conclusion: Unfolding New Dimensions with Fish eye Lenses

The use of fish eye lenses in machine vision opens ultra-wide angles that were hitherto unattainable. From Industrial Automation and surveillance to autonomous navigation and healthcare, the versatility combined with functionality makes the device one of the significant tools of present times.

Among the leading developers of optical solutions, Hangzhou Ai Ke Electronics Co., Ltd. powers the journey into this new phase. Fish eye lenses by AICO owe it all to advanced technology and quality control, thereby ensuring just that kind of balance between performance, durability, and cost to any business.

To learn more about AICO’s fisheye lens offering and how they can enhance your machine vision applications, contact AICO Electronics Limited today. Let their innovative optical solutions unlock new possibilities for your business.