November 21, 2018 – The Carrida software engine for automatic license plate recognition (ALPR/ANPR) has been augmented by a make and model identification function featuring deep learning algorithms. Carrida Make & Model currently recognizes hundreds of European and US brands and models. It can be used as a standalone tool or in combination with license plate recognition to increase accuracy. Since it was first introduced in 2014, many OEMs have found Vision Components’ powerful, field-proven solution to be instrumental for access control, traffic monitoring, and smart city applications. A recently established dedicated subsidiary, Carrida Technologies GmbH, has now taken the lead in marketing and further developing the suite.
The core element is the Carrida software, which now reads license plates from over 50 countries around the world with a typical accuracy of 96 %. The software can process all widely used image and video file formats. It recognizes all license plates visible in an image, requiring a minimum character size of merely 8 pixels. Video stream processing can be tied to a motion detection trigger to save computing capacity. The hardware-independent software runs on Windows, Linux, and Android systems with a variety of different processors from Ambarella, Atom, and Broadcom, to HiSilicon, i5, i7, RasPi, and Zynq. This greatly facilitates Carrida integration, especially into heterogeneous hardware architectures. An intuitive web interface enables flexible, convenient operation. A REST API interface has now also been implemented. It has already been used for cloud applications. The release for Android devices gives users completely new opportunities in apps. Developer interfaces are available for C, C++, C# wrapper, Java wrapper, and Python. In addition to the software suite, Vision Components and Carrida Technologies also offer an ALPR hardware companion kit. The portfolio includes network-enabled cameras, which can optionally be operated as standalone systems to control access barriers, infrared lighting, and upgrade computing modules to turn conventional IP cameras into ALPR systems.
About Vision Components
Founded in 1996 by Michael Engel, inventor of the first intelligent camera for industrial applications, Vision Components GmbH is a leading supplier in the field of machine vision. Branches and distributors represent the Ettlingen-based company throughout the world in more than 25 countries. Vision Components develops and distributes intelligent, network-compatible real-time Smart Cameras that are able to operate without a PC. These embedded vision solutions can be easily integrated into almost any machine or plant. Customers can choose between models with ARM processors and VC Linux firmware, or DSP-based models with the proprietary VCRT operating system. The product portfolio includes Smart Cameras with or without a protective housing, single board cameras, and vision sensors. Vision Components also develops custom-tailored machine vision solutions for a wide range of applications – including, amongst others, tasks in quality inspection and automation. Furthermore, VC provides software libraries for many applications such as motion capture, decoding, measurement, and positioning.
Carrida Technologies GmbH is headquartered in Ettlingen, Germany, and also has a US office.
