Sensor specialist SICK has introduced its durable new Visionary AI-Assist for detecting people, preventing outdoor collisions, and monitoring. The upcoming solution merges advanced 2D and 3D image processing with a robust built-in artificial intelligence (AI) chip within one device. It can consistently identify individuals and small items, as well as assess their distance from the sensor, even in challenging situations.
The Visionary AI-Assist boosts on-site safety and productivity by minimizing false alarms, increasing visibility, and differentiating between individuals and objects. Adhering to CAN standards, the Visionary AI-Assist can be seamlessly integrated into systems by vehicle manufacturers and equipment builders, and is also suitable for retrofitting to current machinery.
The Visionary AI-Assist sensor system is crafted specifically for the outdoor automation sector and can function as an on-site safety aid for navigation guidance, operator support, collision prevention, and area monitoring. It identifies several individuals in a scene to eliminate hazardous blind spots, lower operator stress, and maintain high productivity. SICK has merged its years of expertise in sensor technology with deep understanding of the outdoor machinery field and machine intelligence into one robust, precise, and durable device
Trained using thousands of examples, in addition to people detection the Visionary AI-Assist can detect small objects and monitor surroundings to warn and assist in critical situations. The area in which people and objects are detected can be customised, and alert distances and auto-stop commands can be pre-programmed to adapt to a variety of use cases.
The Visionary AI-Assist is ideal for large, automated or frequently manoeuvring machines, such as construction machinery, agri-tech equipment, mobile machinery, production lines, stationary installations, logistics, and bulk materials handling.
Intelligent collision avoidance and area surveillance with robust 3D vision in a single device
The Visionary AI-Assist combines the Visionary-B Two 3D stereo camera and AI-Assist intelligent software for simultaneous distance measurement, object detection and environmental perception. The AI capabilities mean the device can classify people, enabling assessment of hazards and selective warnings, while the stereo-camera provides an area surveillance colour overview. All data acquisition, processing and output runs on a single device with no need for additional hardware.
Providing digital inputs and outputs, Ethernet with REST API and low latency RTSP live video streaming, the Visionary AI-Assist also comes with CAN based on J1939 for flexible integration or retrofitting. The field of view of the camera is adjustable (130° x 105° up to a scanning range of 16 m, or 90° x 60° up to scanning range of 37 m). Set-up and commissioning are easy with configuration and visualisation via a web browser.
Visionary AI-Assist is specially designed for mobile machines and harsh conditions, with a wide voltage range, operating temperatures from –40 °C to +55 °C, IP67 and IP69k enclosure rating, and high shock/vibration resistance.
SICK Industry Specialist Luke Pearson says, “If you can detect people and their distance from an outdoor vehicle, you can protect them. The Visionary AI-Assist expands our portfolio of mobile machine solutions with a dedicated robust device featuring integrated intelligence to protect people. It is the next evolution of people detection, intelligently and simultaneously sensing people, objects and distance. CAN Bus integration and its rugged design make the Visionary AI-Assist the ideal choice to enhance safety, productivity and peace of mind in mobile outdoor applications.”
The innovative design of the Visionary AI-Assist has already seen it shortlisted for the 2025 Systems & Components Trophy – Engineers’ Choice category of the DLG agricultural machinery supply chain awards (part of November’s AGRITECHNICA expo).