Aqueti Gigapixel Examined

While gigapixel cameras are one of the hottest topics on IPVM, their dreadful frame rates have restricted them to niche use. Forget about one frame per second, those cameras are lucky to deliver a frame per minute. Now a startup is claiming 600 times faster frame rate with a completely different approach to gigapixel imaging. In this note, we dig into the technical details, pricing, performance and potential limitations.

Camera History

The AWARE gigapixel platform began as a Duke University research project. After several successes in field tests and a round of DARPA funding [link no longer available], the project has been spun off into a company named Aqueti. The 'first generation' of AWARE cameras have been deployed by the US Navy for maritime port surveillance, and the new company considers video surveillance to be a core application and development focus.

How it Works

Aqueti's build approach places 'microcameras', or single megapixel cameras into a semi hemispherical frame surrounding the central monocentric lens. Each camera fires simultaneously, capturing a portion of the image focused by the lens, and then assembles that image into a single frame through controller cards on the backend. The rendering below depicts the a typical unit:

This configuration allows for a very wide FoV - up to 120 degrees wide x 70 degrees tall - to be exposed by a camera with no moving parts and a single lens.

Depending on the type of microcameras used, the same basic built type can be build a 1 gigapixel camera (AWARE2.0) up to a 4 gigapixel camera (AWARE10.0) with differences in central lens, microcamera resolution, and compiler card allowing a scaled architecture.

Options for either monochromatic (black/while) or full color images are available.

Camera Details

[UPDATE 2015: The company has pivoted downward in resolution and, at least for now, away from surveillance. More details at the end of the post.]

Size: The enclosure cabinet measures ~2.5' x 2.5' x 1.5', however much of that bulk are the attached compiler cards for the microcameras. If those hardware cards are installed apart from the camera, the footprint of the optics hardware would be less than half.

Cost: Aqueti is producing two models of cameras -

Monochromatic now, Color later: The AWARE platform is currently built using B/W cameras, and the manufacturer cites this is due to limited testing and development resources during the startup phase. The manufacturer states that initial cameras were built to specific design criteria requiring B/W images. However, Aqueti can build current models using color image cameras and will offer standard color models with the next production release.

Sample Image

For reference, see these examples images [link no longer available] from an AWARE2.0 (1 gigapixel). For an image representative of surveillance applications, select the "Seattle Skyline" image from the list. (Direct linking is not possible due to the webpage requiring the images be seen via the webpage's embedded viewer.) Notice the honeycomb fashion in which each individual camera image is stitched together:

[link no longer available]

Optical Flaws

Sample images reveals several types of visual flaws not apparent in other gigapixel offerings. Aqueti recognizes these flaws [link no longer available], and attributes many of them to the protypical nature of early models, many due to microcamera positioning, lens grind methods, and early versions of the stitching software. The company also gives direct feedback on how these problems have been resolved and fixed [link no longer available] moving forward. That noted, users should carefully track the true resolving power of the camera.

Differentiators

The difference in architecture gives Aqueti some advantages over other gigapixel cameras:

Risks

However, as Aqueti platform is only now entering production, it has some key drawbacks:

Applications and Positioning

Since gigapixel surveillance is still underdeveloped compared to mainstream offerings, we cannot direct comparison between Aqeuti and even high megapixel offerings. However, clear lines of distinction can be drawn on the following points:

• Early Production: Aqueti is still in 'startup mode' and is working to formalize its productions designs, internal business structure, and 'to-market' strategies. While the company has specific plans and timelines in place to develop these areas, it is a new company offering a new product - which in itself indicates some level of risk.
• Costly: While the price is high relative to megapixel cameras, it is in the same range as current gigapixel cameras with the crucial advantage of higher frame rates. For those looking for a wide area surveillance solution of high security areas, the pricing could be quite attractive.
• Integration Difficulty: The cameras will have to be monitored on a stand alone basis or additional time and cost will be needed for integration.

Go to Market

The company aims to develop its own brand and sales, rather than OEM. They are looking for integration partners to build a channel.

Future

This is not an offering that will take over the mainstream in the months ahead but its fundamentally novel approach gives it an opportunity to become a major new force in wide area monitoring in the next five years. However, many risks and issues obviously remain.

UPDATE 2015

Aqueti has pivoted towards events capturing (basketball games, etc.) and is focusing on lower resolution cameras. Their current cameras do a maximum of 250MP at 6fps or 60MP at 24 to 30fps. Also, the output is raw and still not compressed for storage, etc.