Advancing machine vision education at Reutlingen University

Education, Research & Science | 3D Vision | Blob Analysis | Classification

At Reutlingen University, Professor Arnd Buschhaus has been integrating MVTec HALCON into the teaching curriculum since 2018. HALCON is used extensively in courses related to robotics and machine vision, providing students with practical experience in industrial image processing. We spoke with Professor Arnd Buschhaus to learn more about how HALCON supports education and research at the university.

Can you describe the use case in which HALCON is applied?

HALCON is used in our practical course “Industrial Image Data Processing”, which consists of seven sessions of three hours each. In this course, students gain hands-on experience with real-world applications of machine vision. In addition, HALCON is applied in our robotics laboratory, particularly for gripping point determination.

Why did you choose HALCON for your teaching or research purposes?

We chose MVTec HALCON because of its powerful and reliable algorithms, which are essential for teaching complex image processing tasks. The software offers a wide range of well-documented functions, along with clear, practical examples that support efficient learning. Another important factor was the excellent opportunity we received - especially in terms of free licenses and access to the HALCON Introductory Course in the MVTec Academy. The ability to distribute licenses flexibly within our institution was also a significant benefit.

Which tasks are being taught or solved by MVTec's machine vision software, and how?

We teach and solve a variety of machine vision tasks using HALCON, including image data processing fundamentals such as calibration, object recognition, measurement, and 3D reconstruction. Technically, we apply methods such as matching, classification, blob analysis, template matching, and greyscale histogram analysis.

Which advantages result from the participation in the MVTec on Campus program?

Participation in the MVTec on Campus program offers several key advantages. HALCON provides a vast range of powerful functions that cover all relevant tasks in image data processing. Its high computational efficiency enables students to work effectively on complex vision projects. In addition, the comprehensive documentation and numerous example programs offer valuable guidance on how to apply the various functions and routines in practice.

Thank you, Prof. Buschhaus, for the interview!