Intel is using lidar technology to help the logistics industry measure the dimensions of boxes and pallets within seconds

The Intel RealSense DWS dimensional weight software is a legal-for-trade-ready, volumetric-measurement system with claimed industry-leading accuracy and speed.

Designed using Intel’s proprietary volumetric-measurement SDK and based on the firm’s RealSense L515 lidar camera, the DWS could help transform dimensional measurement throughout the logistics industry.

“Intel RealSense dimensional weight software expands our offering in the logistics and warehousing industry with an affordable, highly accurate measurement platform,” said Sagi Ben Moshe, Intel corporate vice president. “DWS allows companies to enhance billing accuracy and increase efficiency in warehouse management through fast and accurate to-the-millimetre measurements.”

It uses the lidar camera to scan and calculate the measurement and volume of an object in seconds, which allows for real-time decision-making across receiving, inventory management and shipping without any disruption to existing processes.

The L515 camera measures 23 million depth points per second, making DWS accurate at a near (0.8cm) and far (4m) range, from boxes as small as five cubic centimetres to full-size pallets.

Accuracy and speed are paramount in the logistics industry and, with real-time access to the data calculated by DWS, companies can save time and money through the digital transformation of previously manual tasks.

When object measurement and analysis is done manually, there is a risk of dimensioning inaccuracies and other human errors. Precise and automated volumetric measurements of shipments can help keep track of the inventory and transportation processes with improved optimisation.

DWS lets companies enhance billing accuracy, aids in warehouse management and helps increase workflow efficiencies through fast and accurate to-the-millimetre measurements. With customised dimensional measurement APIs, companies can create systems to manage inventory continuously in various ways, from quickly scanning items to understanding available quantities of a product.

DWS is easy to integrate, working seamlessly with numerous platforms from Windows to Linux to Android. Depending on preference, DWS can be activated out of the box or integrated with an existing enterprise system.

With one ready-to-use software library, it can be customised across a variety of cases, allowing companies to build a volumetric-measurement system based on individual needs.