Vision sensors that capture 2D or 3D visual information, enabling robots to identify objects, measure positions, navigate environments, and perform quality inspection.
The robot's eyes. Cameras let robots see their environment, recognize objects, read barcodes, and check if parts are assembled correctly. They range from simple 2D cameras to sophisticated 3D depth cameras.
Why It Matters
Machine vision is the fastest-growing sensor category in robotics. Cameras are cheaper than LiDAR, provide rich information (color, texture, shape), and enable AI-powered perception. China's dominance in camera hardware manufacturing creates a cost advantage for its robotics industry.
Real-World Examples
- 2D industrial cameras inspecting PCBs for soldering defects on an assembly line
- Intel RealSense depth cameras on a cobot for bin-picking random parts
- Stereo camera pairs on a humanoid robot for spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination
Hikrobot (subsidiary of Hikvision, Hangzhou) is one of the world's largest machine vision companies, offering industrial cameras, 3D sensors, and vision software. Other Chinese players include MechMind (Beijing), with 3D vision for robot bin-picking, and Orbbec (Shenzhen), specializing in depth cameras. The Made-in-China cost advantage makes vision-guided robotics economically viable for smaller factories.
