ToF is a technique of calculating the distance between camera and the object, by measuring the time it takes the projected infrared light to travel from the camera, bounced off the object surface, and return to the sensor. As light speed is constant, by analyzing the phase shift of the emitted and returned light, the processor can calculate the distance of the object and reconstruct it. Unlike stereo vision technology, ToF is an active technique, because it actively projects light to measure distance, instead of relying on ambient light. It works well in dim light conditions. ToF cameras have strengths such as fast processing speed, comparatively longer range and compact design. ToF cameras are widely used in VR/AR, robotic navigation and auto piloting.
Advantages of Tof camera: Compared with stereo cameras or triangulation systems, ToF cameras smaller and compact, almost size of ordinary cameras,very suitable for occasions where lightweight and small cameras needs.
ToF cameras can quickly calculate depth information in real time, reaching tens to 100fps.as we know the binocular stereo camera requires complex correlation algorithms, and the processing speed is slow,so we choose tof camera to application.
Depth calculation of ToF is not affected by the grayscale and characteristics of the object surface,perform three-dimensional detection very accurately. The binocular stereo camera needs the target to have a good feature change, otherwise the depth calculation will not be possible.
ToF's depth calculation accuracy does not change with distance, and it can basically stabilize at the cm level, which is very meaningful for some large-scale motion applications.