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Handheld Scanner Captures 3D with Ease

C4 support helps researcher commercialize invention

C4 is helping professor Jonathan Kofman commercialize his low-cost, hand-held 3D scanner.

Jonathan Kofman, University of Waterloo

Imagine capturing a 3D image as easily as you snap a photo.

A University of Waterloo researcher hopes to accomplish that with his new low-cost, hand-held 3D scanner.  His innovative design has earned him a substantial funding commitment from NSERC.

 A 3D scanner is a device that collects 3D shape information about an object. The collected data can then be used to create three-dimensional computer models of the object. These models are useful for a wide variety of applications from animation to manufacturing.

 The 3D scanner is based on technology developed by Jonathan Kofman and George Knopf at The University of Western Ontario. The duo received a patent for the underlying technology in 2003. Kofman, now a University of Waterloo professor, continues working to turn it into a commercial product. Kofman’s efforts received a substantial boost recently when it was awarded $92,000 from NSERC’s Idea to Innovation (I2I) program to fund the development of a robust prototype for field trials. As well, Kofman will continue to develop the unique algorithms that set his device apart.

Kofman’s scanner promises to be easier to operate and maintain than current commercial 3D handheld scanners, which require additional tracking components, or require markers to be placed on the object being scanned.

 Conventional scanners generally place the target object on a moving table or attach the scanner to a mobile arm. Kofman examined several approaches early in his career when he was developing body scanners for use in prosthetic limb clinics. No single 3D scanner could handle the diverse requirements of the clients. Frustrated, Kofman set out to design a more flexible handheld scanner which features tracking-free and markerless operation.

This new 3D scanner has a wide range of uses beyond fitting prostheses. The entertainment industry routinely scans items to be used in animations and CGI (computer generated images) for movies, TV shows and video games. Manufacturers scan parts they are trying to reverse engineer and scan finished products to check quality. Museums scan fragile artifacts to allow them to be studied without risk of damage.

 “Receiving this I2I support from NSERC is a real vote of confidence in this technology,” said Mark Innes, the C4 Industry Liaison Officer, based at Western, who shepherded the proposal through the I2I application process. Both Western and Waterloo are founding members of C4, a technology transfer consortium that brings together the technology commercialization efforts of universities across Southwest Ontario.

Kofman’s efforts to commercialize the technology have been aided by the close working relationship that the technology transfer offices at both Western and Waterloo have formed as part of the C4.

“With the patent assigned to Western and continuing research being lead by Dr. Kofman here at UW, this kind of intellectual property, cross fertilization effort is typically very challenging to facilitate; however, our C4 collaborative framework enabled the project to proceed smoothly,” said Scott Inwood, Director of the Intellectual Property Management Group at the University of Waterloo.

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