The overall aim of this project is to develop a real-time monocular vision system for measuring bio test-tube heights in a rack and alignments in the space-defined labware carriage. The vision system, including a suitable camera and an embedded system, will enable real-time acquisition of images of the tube carriage, from the side of the carriage, and subsequent image processing algorithms to extract and measure the heights of the tubes of misaligned tubes. The development will enable full automation in Azenta’s and similar biological sample storages or banks and making an impact of UoM research to industrial applications. Objectives are:
1. Constructing a suitable monocular vision system in a confined space (labware carriage).
2. Developing real-time embedded system and associated image acquisition and photogrammetry algorithms for accurately measuring labware alignments and heights in the carriage.
3. Integrating the developed vision system into labware automation system to enable individual labware identification and management.