OAK-D (Lite)

A small depth camera that combines stereo vision with an onboard AI processor (Intel Movidius Myriad X). It’s the entry-level model in Luxonis’ OAK (OpenCV AI Kit) family.

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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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.