Infrared Applications
Automotive
VOT's thermal imaging technology has many important applications within the automotive industry, ranging from manufacturing assistance to improving road safety. The utilization of high-performance thermal camera cores allows VOT products to enhance quality control in manufacturing and significantly improve advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
Although fully-autonomous vehicles are expected in the future, present-day ADAS-equipped vehicles are still 5 times more likely to experience accidents at night than during the day. VOT thermal imaging provides an effective solution by improving visibility in low-light and poor visibility conditions such as nighttime driving or sun glare. Unlike traditional cameras, VOT’s thermal cameras use of the infrared spectrum allows vehicles to detect obstacles up to four times further than what headlights can illuminate. This enhances the vehicle's ability to identify potential hazards more effectively than other ADAS or autonomous vehicle technologies. By incorporating VOT thermal cameras, vehicles can become smarter and safer, accelerating the path toward fully autonomous driving.
Smart Buildings
Smart buildings are becoming more and more prevalent, whether in new developments or refurbishing older ones. The construction industry is increasingly leveraging high-tech innovations to modernize the way we design, build, and secure these buildings. Smart buildings typically focus on three key areas: how occupants use and interact with spaces, security and safety, and sustainability.
VOT's thermal imaging technology provides the opportunity to fully optimize these aspects in smart buildings. By monitoring occupancy, thermal imaging helps businesses efficiently allocate resources, ensuring maximum utilization of space. Additionally, thermal imaging is an invaluable tool for inspecting electrical systems that are not easily visible, helping to prevent fire hazards and enhance occupant safety.
In terms of security, VOT's thermal imaging can be integrated into smart buildings to detect unauthorized entries, especially outside of normal operating hours. The technology is sensitive enough to distinguish between different thermal signatures, reducing the likelihood of false alarms while ensuring the safety of the building and its occupants.
Fire Fighting
Thermal imaging enhances visibility in environments where traditional cameras and human eyesight are inadequate, helping firefighters locate victims, identify hotspots, and navigate safely through smoke-filled areas. The ability to monitor temperature changes in real time also allows firefighters to assess structural integrity, anticipate dangerous shifts in the fire’s behavior, and make critical decisions faster. VOT’s thermal imaging technology improves firefighting efficiency and safety in emergency situations, making it an invaluable asset to any fire department.
The VOT handheld thermal imager is an essential tool for fighting fires, providing the ability to see through smoke and accurately track the spread of a fire. With high sensitivity and rugged durability, VOT's thermal camera cores are designed to perform reliably in the extreme conditions firefighters face on a regular basis. Whether used in standalone handheld devices or integrated into existing fire department systems, VOT offers the capabilities to meet a variety of fire fighting needs.
Maritime
VOT's thermal imaging systems are durable, easy to use, and highly reliable for improving visibility in challenging conditions such as total darkness, light fog, smoke, and glare. Whether you’re cruising, fishing, or sailing, VOT's thermal imaging enhances safety by providing clear vision where traditional methods fall short. This technology, trusted by professional mariners and military forces globally, ensures that you can confidently navigate through difficult environments.
In addition to navigation, thermal imaging can help detect potential hazards such as floating debris, vessels, or even people overboard that would otherwise be invisible in low-light or adverse weather conditions. The ability to see beyond what is visible to the naked eye makes VOT’s systems ideal for critical situations such as search and rescue missions. Thermal imaging can also assist in monitoring engines and other mechanical systems onboard, helping prevent potential failures before any serious problems arise. With VOT thermal imaging, maritime operations become safer, more efficient, and better equipped to handle unexpected challenges on the water.
Personal Vision Systems (PVS)
VOT’s thermal personal vision systems (PVS) offer a versatile range of applications, from everyday household tasks to outdoor adventures. These systems can assist with maintenance tasks, such as identifying heat loss or checking for electrical issues in homes, or even monitoring the temperature of your grill. In the outdoors, they are invaluable tools for spotting wildlife, navigating during dusk or nighttime excursions, and ensuring safety in low-visibility conditions.
Whether you’re using a smartphone plug-in camera, a handheld monocular, or a helmet-mounted unit, VOT provides reliable solutions for all your personal infrared needs. These systems are easy to use and accessible for both beginners and seasoned infrared users, enhancing your ability to see beyond the visible spectrum. VOT's thermal technology brings a new level of convenience, safety, and fun to your daily life and outdoor activities. With our range of thermal devices, you'll be prepared for any situation—whether it's a home inspection or an adventure in the wilderness.
PVS - Outdoor / Invasive Species Management
VOT’s thermal personal vision systems (PVS) offer a wide range of outdoor applications, from head-mounted displays to thermal scopes, making them useful for various activities. Whether for navigating through the dark or managing wildlife, thermal technology is a powerful tool for enthusiasts and professionals alike. For hunters and land managers facing the challenge of invasive species, VOT’s thermal imaging provides an effective solution.
A main use of thermal imaging is in controlling invasive species such as feral hogs and coyotes, which pose significant threats to ecosystems, livestock and farmland. Thermal personal vision systems allow hunters to track and manage these animals with greater efficiency, even in low-visibility conditions. Beyond invasive species control, thermal technology offers advantages for traditional hunting activities, including game detection, positive species identification, and wildlife monitoring. Additionally, it enhances the ability to quickly and efficiently recover downed animals, reducing search time and ensuring a successful hunt.
Predictive Maintenance
VOT’s thermal imaging technology can be a useful tool for usage in preventive maintenance in HVAC, electrical systems, and other machinery. It enables non-invasive inspections, helps establish baseline operational data, and identifies early warning signs of potential issues. By integrating thermal imaging into predictive maintenance programs, businesses can prioritize repairs and maintenance based on real-time data, rather than relying on preset schedules that might not reflect actual conditions.
Another benefit of thermal imaging is enhanced energy efficiency by detecting heat-related anomalies early allowing managers and technicians to address issues before they escalate. This can save businesses money by reducing energy costs and ensuring key assets remain protected and operational.
Fever Detection Screening
Thermal imaging enables automated body temperature screening by measuring skin temperature, offering accuracy similar to infrared temporal thermometers, but from a safe distance. These systems can quickly screen large groups of people in public or workplace settings without causing delays, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like airports, offices, and schools.
By integrating these systems into entry points or checkpoints, organizations can proactively reduce the risk of illness transmission and improve public health monitoring. This added layer of security allows for early detection and timely intervention, helping to protect employees, customers, and visitors while minimizing disruptions to both people’s lives and daily operations.
Search and Rescue (SAR)
Thermal imaging technology has revolutionized search and rescue operations, making it easier to locate missing individuals, detect heat sources, and identify potential hazards. By detecting body heat even in complete darkness, thermal cameras help rescue teams find people who may be immobile or unconscious, significantly increasing the chances of a successful rescue. Additionally, other heat sources, such as fires or hotspots, are easily identified, enabling teams to address hazards promptly and ensure the safety of both rescuers and those in dire need of help.
Thermal imaging has proven especially effective in natural disasters like earthquakes, forest fires, and hurricanes, where it drastically reduces the time required to locate survivors and provide assistance. This technology has become an indispensable tool in modern search and rescue efforts due to helping with saving lives and improving operational efficiencies of SAR teams.
Gas Monitoring, Detection, and Identification
Thermal imaging can be extremely useful for detecting gas leaks, which are often invisible to the naked eye. By identifying leaks early, using thermal imaging for gas monitoring, detection and identification helps prevent potentially catastrophic accidents, such as fires or explosions that can result in death or injury. This technology enables non-invasive, real-time inspections, allowing for the safe resolution of gas leaks before they escalate into dangerous incidents.
In addition to thermal imaging, Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) are used for advanced gas monitoring and identification. QCLs are semiconductor lasers that emit in the mid-to-far-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, providing a precise light source for molecular gas analysis and absorption spectroscopy. This makes them ideal for detecting specific gases in complex environments. VOT offers a full range of collimating lenses designed to optimize the performance of QCLs in gas detection and monitoring applications.
