How to Document a Quality Problem: Point at It

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany have created a system that allows vehicle quality inspectors to log defects simply by pointing at them.

The non-contact gesture-based system was developed with BMW AG at the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Exploitation in Karlsruhe.

Researchers there say the technology promises to be a huge time-saver for inspectors by eliminating the traditional steps of using multiple input screens to categorize and label the location of defects. The gesture-based Fraunhofer system enables an inspector to remain at the work station and either approve a component by waving a hand above it or flagging a problem by pointing at it.

The technology uses 3-D imaging to locate and identify the inspector, the object being checked and relative movements between the two. A standard computer, camera and 3-D sensors track the part. Fraunhofer-developed algorithms merge 2-D and 3-D images to log the quality problem.

The researchers created a "smart control room" in which an inspector can operate remote displays by gesturing without donning any special equipment.

A prototype system is being tested in a BMW factory in Landshut. Fraunhofer will publicly demonstrate the system at the Hannover Messe 2013 industrial trade fair in Hannover on April 8-12.