PALO ALTO, CA — Artec 3D (www.artec3d.com) has unveiled Artec Leo, an AI-based, handheld 3D scanner, capable of capturing data at up to 80 frames per second. The unit can autonomously select and process data onboard, without connecting to a tablet or computer.
Artec Leo's multi-touch, half HD screen allows users to watch while their object is digitized into a full color 3D model in realtime. The built-in battery pack, ergonomic grip, and balanced design of the scanner allows for easy wireless operation and access to hard-to-reach locations.
The comfortably large field of view and 80fps 3D reconstruction rate makes scanning large objects or scenes a straightforward task. At the same time, users can bring the scanner closer to particular areas of interest in order to pick up intricate details with a 3D point accuracy of 0.1mm.
Built on the Nvidia Jetson platform, the Artec Leo also includes a nine degrees of freedom (DoF) inertial system (accelerometer, gyro and compass), which provides precise information about its position and environment. This enables the device to understand the difference between the object being scanned, the surface it is on and the wall behind it so that it can automatically erase the unwanted data.
Utilizing a proprietary, two-in-one optics system, with a 3D camera and color camera combined as one, the Artec Leo can achieve high precision in texture mapping at a resolution of 2.3mp. High quality geometry is also achieved, thanks to the use of a disruptive VCSEL light source, which allows for capturing objects in bright, outside conditions. Additionally, this advanced technology has allowed Artec 3D to create a flash system that can be adjusted based on the surrounding light conditions for enhanced 3D capture. This also enables users to scan in 3D HDR, making it easier to capture tricky objects, such as those that are black or have shiny areas.
While the user can see the scan on the Artec Leo's screen, it can also be streamed to other devices, such as tablets or laptops. This is a useful feature for those times when a large screen could be helpful or for collaborative work. The scanner has a built-in SSD drive to store 256GBs of captured data, while micro SD cards can be used to extend the capacity of the device, something that can be especially handy for field conditions. Additional battery modules can also be purchased for unlimited 3D scanning in areas with no available power supply. Once scans are completed, data can be uploaded to a computer via a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, or directly to the cloud.