Development of ultra-miniaturized 3D camera modules and scanners based on digital optical holography.

AKmira optronics GmbH

PotsdamNew on Amplifa

2021Founded

GmbH, HRB 34496 P (AG Potsdam)Legal form

Dr. Alexander KnüttelManagement

7 mmDiameter of GEN 1 endoscope tip

max. 100 gWeight of 3D zoom camera

About AKmira optronics

AKmira optronics GmbH was founded in 2021 in Potsdam by Dr. Alexander Knüttel and develops ultra-miniaturized 3D camera modules based on digital optical holography. The goal is to miniaturize a complete 3D color camera module to a fraction of the size of a fingernail and make it usable for various markets – with a focus on medical technology. The hardware uses state-of-the-art opto-electronic components without mechanically moving parts, while the data algorithms handle distance determination via time-of-flight measurement (optical interferometry/LiDAR) with µm accuracy. Product range: the 3D ear canal scanner AKuris for contactless otoplastic production, a 3D endoscope with a rigid tip (7 mm diameter) and a 3D zoom camera for object visualization up to 1 km distance at a maximum weight of 100 g. Optionally, sub-surface measurements up to 3 mm below the surface (e.g. bone, tooth surface) are possible via multiple laser wavelengths in the near infrared. Research and development is funded by EFRE, ESF and the State of Brandenburg.

Site: Potsdam
Processes: Digital optical holography / optical interferometry (LiDAR) for 3D measurement, Contactless 3D measurement of the ear canal (otoplastic production), Sub-surface measurements up to 3 mm below the surface (multiple laser wavelengths in the near, Optical 3D stitching (seamless composition of large 3D scenes from individual images), 3D measurement / optical metrology, Development of ultra-miniaturized 3D camera modules, 3D ear canal scanner (AKuris), 3D endoscopy technology
Materials: Digital optical holography, Near-infrared multi-wavelength measurement, Optical 3D stitching
Founded: 2021
Industries: Medical technology, Hearing acoustics/hearables, Dental, Security technology, Drone inspection, Medical technology (rigid and flexible endoscopy, robot-assisted surgery)

01
Research & Development
02
Opto-electronic module development
03
Algorithms & software development
04
Prototype construction & characterization
05
Marketing via trade fairs and B2B cooperation

Technology & Processes

DOH

Digital optical holography

Optical interferometry/LiDAR for contactless 3D measurement with µm accuracy without mechanically moving parts.

NIR

Near-infrared multi-wavelength measurement

Enables sub-surface measurements up to approx. 3 mm below tissue, bone or tooth surfaces.

STITCH

Optical 3D stitching

Seamless composition of large 3D scenes from individual images with µm accuracy.

Location

Potsdam

Company headquarters, development

Lot size: Prototype
Materials: Opto-electronic components

3D endoscope GEN 1 (rigid tip, 7 mm diameter)
3D ear canal scanner AKuris
Mini 3D zoom camera

Products & Camera Modules

**3D ear canal scanner AKuris**Digital optical holography · Hearing acoustics

**Golden Eye 3D camera module GEN 1**Digital optical holography · Medical technology

**Golden Eye camera module GEN 2**Digital optical holography · Medical technology

**Golden Eye camera module GEN 3**Digital optical holography · Medical technology

Inside the production

Medical technology application: robot-assisted surgery with mini endoscopes

Security technology application: contactless 3D fingerprint

Dr. Alexander Knüttel, founder and managing director

Funding by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Industries

Medical technologyHearing acoustics/hearablesDentalSecurity technologyDrone inspectionMedical technology (rigid and flexible endoscopy, robot-assisted surgery)Hearing acoustics / hearables (otoplastics)Dental (caries detection)Security technology (3D fingerprint)Drone zoom inspection / 3D zoom cameras

Processes & technical limits

Processes	Tolerance	Max. part	Weight	Lot size	Materials
Digital optical holography / optical interferometry (LiDAR) for 3D measurementTesting	µm accuracy	–	–	–	Tissue, Bone, Tooth surface
Contactless 3D measurement of the ear canal (otoplastic production)Testing	–	–	–	–	–
Sub-surface measurements up to 3 mm below the surface (multiple laser wavelengths in the nearTesting	–	–	–	–	Tissue, Bone, Tooth surface
Optical 3D stitching (seamless composition of large 3D scenes from individual images)Testing	µm accuracy	–	–	–	–

3 Anlagen & Maschinen

Machine	Manufacturer / model	Quantity	Working area	Year built	Site
3D endoscope with rigid endoscope tip (GEN 1 prototype)	AKmira optronics GmbH GEN 1	1	Endoscope tip 7 mm diameter	–	Potsdam
3D ear canal scanner (AKuris, handheld)	AKmira optronics GmbH AKuris	1	Ear canal	–	Potsdam
Mini 3D zoom camera (object visualization up to 1 km, max. 100 g)	AKmira optronics GmbH	–	Distances up to 1 km	–	Potsdam

Additional services

3D measurement / optical metrologyDevelopment of ultra-miniaturized 3D camera modules3D ear canal scanner (AKuris)3D endoscopy technologyResearch & development (EFRE/ESF-funded projects)

History

2000
Dr. Alexander Knüttel founds ISIS optronics GmbH in Mannheim; development of the world's first optical 3D skin scanner (OCT technology)
2006
Founding of ISIS sentronics GmbH (today sentronics metrology GmbH) for wafer inspection equipment
2021
Founding of AKmira optronics GmbH in Potsdam based on in-house further developments of digital optical holography
2022
Presentation of the GEN 1 prototype (3D endoscope, 7 mm diameter) at Medica Düsseldorf, 14.-17.11.2022; ESF/Brandenburg-funded research projects