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OAK-D (Lite)

A small depth camera that combines stereo vision with an onboard AI processor.
The OAK-D can be used for 3D scanning because it produces RGB + depth maps that you can turn into a point cloud and mesh. You move the camera around an object or space, capture overlapping frames, and then stitch them together with software (e.g. Open3D, MeshLab, or ROS).

But: it’s not the preferred tool for 3D scanning.

  • Accuracy is lower than LiDAR or photogrammetry.

  • Shiny/transparent surfaces don’t scan well.

  • Range is limited (~10 m).

It’s great for real-time depth perception and robotics, but for high-quality 3D models you’d usually go with photogrammetry or LiDAR.

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  • How it works:

    • Two synchronized monochrome cameras capture slightly different views of the same scene.

    • Depth is computed by comparing the disparity (shift) between the two images.

    • An onboard neural depth engine accelerates the calculations, so the host computer doesn’t have to.

    • Optionally, an RGB camera provides color overlays on the depth map.

  • Key features:

    • Depth range: ~0.3 m – 10 m.

    • Field of view: ~70–80°.

    • USB-C powered, plug-and-play.

    • Runs AI models (object detection, face recognition, body pose estimation) directly on the device.

  • Why it matters for stereo vision:

    • Demonstrates that stereo vision can be compact, affordable, and real-time.

    • Doesn’t need external GPUs/CPUs for heavy lifting.

    • Provides a good bridge between basic stereo rigs (like DIY dual webcams) and advanced research hardware (like ZED cameras).

  • Use cases:

    • Robotics navigation.

    • Human pose tracking.

    • AR/VR prototyping.

    • Object recognition combined with depth.

Here's info on how to use it in Touchdesigner: https://derivative.ca/UserGuide/OAK-D
The example file is OAKExamples.toe. Instructions and tips are inside the file. The file is located in C:/Program Files/Derivative/TouchDesigner.2023.xxxxx/Samples/OAK.


 

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