SPHERICAL IMAGING SYSTEM
Teledyne Ladybug Spherical Vision
Ladybug5+
The Ladybug5+ offers the highest quality in spherical 360° imaging and accuracy. It is able to acquire an impressive 8k30 or 4k60 of content. With its patented calibration and superior global shutter sensors, the Ladybug5+ has an accuracy level of 2 mm at 10 m. The Ladybug SDK provides a wide range of functionality, allowing users to record, process, and export spherical content with ease. Ladybug5+ has an IP65 rating making it ideal for outdoor use including street mapping.
SPHERICAL IMAGING SYSTEM
Ladybug6
Model: LD6-U3-122S7C-R: 72 MP, Color, 15 FPS, USB3.1, Red
Ladybug6 is the leading high-resolution camera designed to capture
360-degree spherical images from moving platforms in all-weather
conditions. Its industrial grade design and out-of-the-box factory
calibration produces 72 Megapixel (MP) images with pixel values that are
spatially accurate within +/- 2 mm at 10-meter distance. As the newest
member of our field-proven Ladybug series, the Ladybug6 builds on our
machine vision heritage with increased image resolution, enhanced
on-board processing, and robust IP67-rated connectors. Support for
additional Global Navigation Satellite Systems and advanced APIs,
combined with hardware inputs, enable precise camera settings and
trigger control. Customer applications include panoramic street image
production, road surveying, asset inspection, feature extraction for HD
map generation among several others.
Software Development Kit
Every Ladybug® system includes a feature rich Software Development Kit (SDK) to control camera settings, manage 360 degree image acquisition, and produce panoramic images and video. The Ladybug SDK includes the LadybugCapPro Windows application, source code examples for a quick start in the C/C++/C# programming environment, camera integration technical documentation, and an Application Programming Interface (API) software library with reference documentation. The API enables integration of Ladybug functionality into custom applications, and is supported by a library of online technical application notes and published knowledge base articles.
MOBILE MAPPING
MOBILE MAPPING
In mobile mapping, simply capturing ultra-high resolution images isn’t sufficient for success. Performance depends heavily on factors such as synchronization of sensors, stability under motion, accurate calibration, and consistent image quality even in changing lighting or vibration conditions. Mobile platforms demand imaging systems that not only have sharp detail, but also robust mechanics and carefully engineered integration to trust the data. Proper timing between cameras, GNSS, and IMUs is crucial so that each image is accurately located and aligned in space. Without that coordination, even a high-pixel count camera can produce unusable results. A well-designed system will also handle environmental challenges — from changing ambient light to vehicle vibration — and deliver reliable data capture at operational speeds. Ultimately, the right solution lets you move beyond just “pretty pictures” and deliver actionable geospatial intelligence that supports decision-making.
How It Works
Multiple Cameras Synchronized
The Ladybug system is a unique panoramic imaging solution that uses six high-quality cameras to capture images from six different vantage points, covering 90% of the full sphere. Five of these cameras are arranged in a horizontal ring, while one points vertically upwards. The cameras are pre-calibrated, eliminating the need for in-field calibration and enabling various other system innovations.
The Ladybug API, part of the SDK, provides comprehensive control over the camera, graphics rendering, and system coordination. It supports real-time rectification, stitching, and blending of images, and allows each of the six sensors to be managed independently. Furthermore, the SDK enables integration of the Ladybug system with custom applications. This makes the Ladybug system a versatile tool for panoramic imaging.
Rather than relying purely on mechanical calibration, the Ladybug
systems use software to calibrate each camera on its own and in relation
to each of the other five cameras. The system is able to know the
vector associated with every pixel, in each camera, to one-hundredth of a
degree accuracy. This in turn enables applications to know where the
camera is in relation to the rest of the world. In order to be able to
provide this relational data, Teledyne FLIR not only solved the problem
of calibrating the lenses but also solved the greater challenge of
calibrating the rotations and translations between all six lenses to
high accuracy, a problem that is made harder by the small overlap
between cameras’ fields-of-view.
Sample Images
Captured at 15 FPS while travelling at up to 100 km/h (4K video rendered @ 15 FPS)
Captured @ 5 FPS while travelling at up to 100 km/h (4K video rendered @ 15 FPS)
Captured @ 15 FPS while travelling at up to 35 km/h (4K video rendered @ 15 FPS)
Captured @ 5 FPS while travelling at up to 40 km/h (4K video rendered @ 10 FPS)
Utility box with labels and identifiers.
Excellent example of alpha-numeric character resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What operating system supports the SDK?
Windows 10 / Linux Ubuntu 18.04 and 20.04 for x86-64
Where are the prices?
Due to the highly technical nature of these units and their applications, we request that you speak to a sales representative first to ensure the right camera and calibration selection. Once complete, your sales rep will send over the quote- valid for 30 days.
What is the lead time?
Currently, the Ladybug series runs about 4 weeks out. This is subject to change depending on production scheduling, so please double check with your sales rep, and let us know if timeline is an issue, or expediting is needed.
Does this ship internationally?
EXPORT RESTRICTIONS:
The information contained in this page pertains to products that may be subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 C.F.R. Sections 120-130) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 C.F.R. Sections 730-774) depending upon specifications for the final product; jurisdiction and classification will be provided upon request.
How Does the Calibration Work?
Teledyne FLIR has also automated the factory calibration process that produces extremely consistent and reliable results. The mechanical design and automated calibration has made production of Ladybug cameras very scalable and can adapt to changing demand. Additionally, the factory calibration and robust case design removes any requirement for in-field calibration. The Ladybugs are calibrated once, in the factory, and then housed in a unique ruggedized casing rigid enough to resist changes in temperature, vibration and shock. Therefore, the calibration stays intact and in-field calibration is no longer necessary.
