Underwater usage
Hello, i'm interested in purchasing an intel realsense, right now i have two aim for what i wanted to achieve
1, underwater depth analysis
2. underwater object detection using machine learning
is it possible for intel realsense to achieve those two objectives ? of course im planning to use rasberry pi for it companion
and, what model should i get ? im sorry if my question kinda confusing, im totally new in this field, thanks
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Hi Abinpramdya2 Yes, it is possible to use RealSense cameras underwater in a protective waterproof custom housing to achieve those objectives. The main issue that you may encounter other than waterproofing is accounting for distortion when the camera is underwater. There is an extensive technical discussion on calibrating the camera underwater at the link below.
https://github.com/IntelRealSense/realsense-ros/issues/1723
It is such a long discussion that some of it is hidden, so please left-click on the 24 hidden items - load more link to see the full conversation.
https://github.com/IntelRealSense/realsense-ros/issues/1723#issuecomment-802741234
The information in the hidden section includes an image of a custom housing used in that particular project.
Like in the case linked to above, you could use a D435 camera model (or a D435i with an IMU gyroscope / accelerometer component built in), as these two models have a 0.1 meter minimum depth sensing range that enables them to be positioned close to objects / surfaces.
The D455 model will provide greater accuracy when depth sensing objects further away from the camera, as it has the same depth measurement accuracy at 6 meters distance that the D435 / D435i have at 3 meters. It has a greater minimum distance of 0.4 m though, so may not be suitable if you anticipate needing to observe objects at close range.
Intel also have a new and compact-sized D405 model that specializes in accurate very close range sensing, with an ideal range of 7 cm to 50 cm. As this model is not equipped with an infrared projector component like the D435, D435i and D455 are, it may need to be used in conjunction with an external light source underwater to provide a good depth image.
If your project will be Raspberry Pi based, I would recommend a Pi 4.
A project called FishSense provides an example of using RealSense (D455 in this particular project) for underwater applications.
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Yes, RealSense cameras are compatible with the Jetson range, including Nano. The RealSense SDK project development software can also be built with CUDA support enabled for computing devices with an Nvidia graphics GPU (which includes Nvidia Jetson boards). CUDA provides automatic performance improvement when carrying out color conversion, depth-color alignment or pointcloud generation operations by offloading processing work from the CPU onto the graphics GPU.
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You are very welcome, Danieldach22 - I'm pleased to hear that they were useful for you too!
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Hi Ali Rohan2003 Unfortunately it cannot be purchased as it was custom-made by the people who developed that particular underwater project.
The D457 camera model has an IP65 rated casing that protects against entry of water and dust into the camera. Purchasing a D457 may be a less expensive option than developing and manufacturing your own custom casing.
https://store.intelrealsense.com/buy-intel-realsense-depth-camera-d457.html
Whilst the D457 was designed for use with high-speed GMSL cable connections, a mode switch inside its casing enables it to be used as a D455 camera on a USB cable but with the additional environmental protection of the IP65-rated casing.
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MartyX Grover the D457 would be water resistant. I am not sure if it can be put underwater for underwater imagery.
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The discussion at the link below is relevant to your concerns.
Once underwater, the camera can be calibrated for that environment using a calibration target board that has been placed underwater.
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The company autoVimation (who manufacture RealSense camera enclosures) also have a non-RealSense waterproof enclosure that can fit a 61x61 mm sized camera. The only product in the RealSense range that would fit within that space though is the D405, which is 42x42 mm and designed for very short range depth-sensing.
http://www.autovimation.com/en/enclosures-en/nautilus-en
https://store.intelrealsense.com/buy-intel-realsense-depth-camera-d405.html
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