TECHNOLOGY n 21 www.drivesncontrols.com November/December 2025 THE JAPANESE COMPONENTS manufacturer Kyocera has developed a high-resolution depth sensor that uses three lenses and proprietary AI to recognise semitransparent, thin and fine lineshaped objects that were previously difficult to detect using the human eye or traditional stereo cameras. The sensor accurately measures the distance to, and size of, such objects, tripling the precision of measuring tiny objects from 1mm to 0.3mm. It is expected to help with inspection processes in manufacturing, improve the precision of surgical robotics, and simplify harvesting by agricultural robots. The triple-lens configuration allows precision measurements such as the distance and size of thin, linear objects positioned parallel to the direction between the lenses. This allows it to measure ultra-fine wires, reflective objects such as metal, and translucent objects such as plastics. In 2024, Kyocera developed a dual-lens depth sensor capable of distance measurements with a resolution of 100μm at a 10cm range. This allowed measurements of tiny objects around 1mm in size, which were difficult for conventional stereo cameras. But distance measurements with dual-lens sensors can be challenging when viewing objects with limited surface features or in environments where part of the object is obscured. The triple-lens sensor was developed to solve such challenges. The sensor acquires three sets of parallax information – left-centre, centre-right, and left-right – from a distance of 10cm. It uses proprietary AI to combine the multiple parallax data sets, almost eliminating mismatches and reducing blind spots, thus improving measurement reliability. It also delivers accurate distance measurements for objects that are difficult to measure using a single lens – especially those with repetitive patterns, partially reflective metals, translucent plastics, and surfaces lacking distinct features. The sensor can measure distances accurately to thin, irregularly shaped linear objects and ultra-fine wires with diameters as small as 0.3mm. Kyocera’s expects the triple-lens sensor to have applications such as: n Inspecting objects with repetitive patterns When viewing objects with highly repetitive patterns, such as PCBs and textiles, dual-lens stereo cameras can produce mismatches. The triple-lens configuration increases measurement accuracy and reliability significantly using multiple parallax combinations. This allows precise analysis of depth and surface shapes, ensuring accurate measurements and reducing mismatches. n Surgical robots Thin reflective surgical tools, such as needles and sutures, are often hard to distinguish from their background and can be partially hidden from view. The triple-lens configuration allows precise recognition of their positions by combining information from multiple viewpoints, increasing accuracy and reliability. n Agricultural robots In crop harvesting and other environments where fruits and leaves occlude each other, the triple-lens camera enables more accurate recognition and precise position measurement with fewer blind spots. https://global.kyocera.com Triple-lens depth sensor measures difficult-to-detect objects Tool is ‘world’s first’ for issuing EPDs for electric motors WEG CLAIMS IT IS the first company to have developed its own system for issuing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for electric motors. It has been approved by EPD International as the first company to have a preverified EPD tool for motors. The WEG EcoHub Version 1.0 tool is based on PCR 2022:06 – Electric motors and generators and their parts (for industrial applications), and is designed to publish EPDs in the International EPD system, in compliance with ISO 14025. EPDs are standardised, verified documents that describe the environmental performance of a product throughout its lifecycle. They offer transparency and reliability, enabling manufacturers and consumers to make more informed choices aligned with their sustainability goals and CO2 reduction targets. “Our tool for generating EPDs offers transparency into the lifecycle of our products, empowering customers to make informed decisions and choose the most efficient solutions for their operations,” explains Rodrigo Fumo, MD of WEG’s industrial motors business. A comparison of measurements of a transparent prism from (left to right): a camera; a dual-lens sensor; and the triple-lens sensor (eft)
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