An apparatus for measuring retro-reflectivity of a target object in an outdoor environment includes a modulator to modulate a first optical signal based on a specified modulation value, an optical emitter, coupled to the modulator, to emit the first optical signal along an optical path towards the target object, and an optical detector positioned collinearly with respect to the optical emitter. The optical detector detects a second optical signal that is retro-reflected from the target object. The apparatus includes a lock-in amplifier coupled to the modulator and the optical detector. The lock-in amplifier receives a first electrical signal from the modulator and a second electrical signal from the optical detector, and generates, based on the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal, a third electrical signal indicative of the retro-reflectivity of the target object.

Provided is a method and apparatus for monitoring quality and determining contamination of a space, the method including measuring a plurality of quality parameter actual values in a space with a sensor system, wherein the actual value of at least one quality parameter is measured at a plurality of measuring locations, wherein the sensor system includes a plurality of sensors, comparing the quality parameter actual values with target values for the respective measuring locations, moving the at least one mobile sensor with a control system to a measuring location spaced apart from the previous measuring location of the at least one mobile sensor, wherein in the event of an incident at least one mobile sensor is moved with the control system deviating from the stored movement plan, wherein the data processing system determines the spatial spread, type of contamination and/or concentration of the respective contamination of the space.

A method includes identifying a target surface in an environment of a robotic device. The method further includes controlling a moveable component of the robotic device to move along a motion path relative to the target surface, wherein the moveable component comprises a light source and a camera. The method additionally includes receiving a plurality of images from the camera when the moveable component is at a plurality of poses along the motion path and when the light source is illuminating the target surface. The method also includes determining bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) image data, wherein the BRDF image data comprises the plurality of images converted to angular space with respect to the target surface. The method further includes determining, based on the BRDF image data and by applying at least one pre-trained machine learning model, a material property of the target surface.

A measurement system is provided with an array of laser diodes with one or more Bragg reflectors. At least a portion of the light generated by the array is configured to penetrate tissue comprising skin. A detection system configured to: measure a phase shift, and a time-of-flight, of at least a portion of the light from the array of laser diodes reflected from the tissue relative to the portion of the light generated by the array; generate one or more images of the tissue; detect oxy- or deoxy-hemoglobin in the tissue; non-invasively measure blood in blood vessels within or below a dermis layer within the skin; measure one or more physiological parameters based at least in part on the non-invasively measured blood; and measure a variation in the blood or physiological parameter over a period of time.

Systems, devices, and methods including one or more optical cavities; one or more light sources configured to emit a specified wavelength or band of wavelengths of light; and one or more photovoltaic detectors configured to receive the emitted light that has traveled over one or more path lengths, where the one or more photovoltaic detectors are configured to detect at least one of: a first trace gas species and a second trace gas species.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring agricultural products. In particular, the present invention relates to monitoring fruit production, plant growth, and plant vitality. According to embodiments of the invention, a plant analysis system is configured determine a spectral signature of a plant based on spectral data, and plant color based on photographic data. The spectral signatures and plant color are associated with assembled point cloud data. Morphological data of the plant can be generated based on the assembled point cloud data. A record of the plant can be created that associates the plant with the spectral signature, plant color, spectral data, assembled point cloud data, and morphological data, and stored in a library.

A sensor arrangement for evaluating agricultural material, the arrangement comprising: a housing having an opening, the opening configured with a window transparent to electromagnetic waves; a detector arranged in the housing for detecting electromagnetic waves coming in through the window; a flexible seal element disposed between the window and the housing; and a compression member proximate at least one of the opening, the housing, the window and the seal element, the compression member configured to press the window against the seal element to seal off the housing.

A deployable measurement system for analyzing a rail of a railroad track includes a housing, a reflecting assembly coupled to the housing, a movement assembly coupled to the housing, and an optical measurement system disposed within the housing. Both the housing and the reflecting assembly are moveable between a stored position and a deployed position. The movement assembly includes a deployment assembly that moves the reflecting assembly from the stored position to the deployed position, and a retraction assembly that moves the reflecting assembly from the deployed position to the stored position. The optical measurement system emits and receives light. The reflecting assembly reflects the emitted light toward the rail. The reflecting assembly reflects light reflected off of the rail toward the optical measurement system. The light received by the optical measurement system is used to measure parameters related to the rail.

A device consisting of a digital camera with a microscope objective lens, a disc where plant material can be mounted and automatically rotated, and two other cameras for determining the plant material's shape and size, that allows images of intact cannabis trichomes to be taken, without destruction or damage to the plant material, and automatically counts and calculates the density of the trichomes on the inflorescence surface. This does not require taking any plant cuttings, does not require the use of a microscope or microscope slides, and allows multiple measurements to be taken of a single inflorescence sample in quick succession, without the need for manual image analysis.

A method includes identifying a target surface in an environment of a robotic device. The method further includes controlling a moveable component of the robotic device to move along a motion path relative to the target surface, wherein the moveable component comprises a light source and a camera. The method additionally includes receiving a plurality of images from the camera when the moveable component is at a plurality of poses along the motion path and when the light source is illuminating the target surface. The method also includes determining bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) image data, wherein the BRDF image data comprises the plurality of images converted to angular space with respect to the target surface. The method further includes determining, based on the BRDF image data and by applying at least one pre-trained machine learning model, a material property of the target surface.