IDS Imaging adds Nion ToF sensor to its portfolio of 3D cameras

IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH expanded its 3D sensor portfolio this week with the launch of Nion, an industrial time-of-flight (ToF) camera featuring 1.2-megapixel resolution and integrated depth processing, per The Robot Report. The camera is now available in series production.

Nion delivers depth information at 30 fps and is designed to remain stable during rapid movements and under changing lighting conditions, according to The Robot Report. The camera covers a measurement range of 0.3 to 7.5 meters (0.9 to 24.6 ft.), targets logistics, automation, and robotics use cases, and carries an IP67-rated housing for demanding environments. It supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) to reduce installation effort and cabling. "The Nion provides stable depth data even under variable lighting conditions," Patrick Schick, IDS's product manager for 3D vision and imaging software, said in the article. "This provides a solid foundation for automation processes that rely on fast and accurate 3D data."

At the core of the camera is the AF0130 indirect ToF sensor from onsemi's Hyperlux ID family. IDS claims the onsemi sensor offers higher resolution, lower noise, more stable ambient-light performance, and better motion stability compared with standard ToF cameras on the market, per The Robot Report. The sensor uses a global shutter, pixel-internal memory, and a fast readout structure.

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Obersulm, Germany, IDS Imaging makes 2D and 3D cameras, monitoring cameras, and AI-supported imaging models. The company employs more than 320 people from 21 countries and holds a portfolio of around 5,000 products, according to The Robot Report. It operates branches in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and the U.K., with representative offices in France, the Benelux countries, and India.

IDS positions Nion as an entry point for companies moving from 2D to 3D image processing. Schick noted that "in many cases, existing 2D processes can be retained and supplemented with depth data where necessary, if that aids decision-making in the process," suggesting the camera is intended to complement rather than replace existing setups. The company emphasized ease of integration and cost-effectiveness as key selling points alongside measurement quality.