Development Approach
Optex’s Strengths and Growth
A Deeper Look at Optex Sensing, Driven by Field Expertise and Intelligence
Now that sensing technology has become indispensable as the “five senses” of society, what is required is both dependability that ensures correct operation in any environment and intelligence that creates new value from the data obtained. Optex Co., Ltd. has addressed the real challenges faced by customers at sites around the world, providing solutions that optimally combine the diverse sensing technologies it has developed over the years. Through our proprietary accumulated technologies and a thoroughly field-oriented approach, we continue to pursue both dependability and intelligence.
Optex’s Strengths:
Field-Oriented Approach and Proprietary Algorithms That Adapt to Harsh Real-World Conditions
A Thoroughly Field-Oriented Approach. Observing the Ever-Changing Environment Itself
At the heart of Optex’s development approach is the “reality of the field,” something that can never be fully understood through theory alone.
Our development engineers visit sites around the world, see the challenges firsthand, and provide solutions.
These are complex factors that cannot be fully identified in the development environment alone, and the true performance required of a sensor is determined in the field. In fact, data collected at overseas sites is continuously incorporated into software detection criteria, supporting technological improvement through a global feedback loop.
Noise Countermeasures for Extreme Environments.
A Dual Approach Combining Physics × Algorithms
Outdoor sensing involves countless sources of environmental noise that can cause false alarms.
● Rain, snow, and fog
● Insects and small animals
● Temperature changes caused by solar radiation
● Movement of vegetation
● Inclination of the mounting surface
Optex addresses these challenges through both physical design and algorithmic control.
Examples of Physical Countermeasures
● Double conductive filter : Transmits only specific wavelengths while blocking sunlight and unwanted light
● Combined sensing (PIR + microwave) : Combines heat and movement detection to provide sensing that is less susceptible to environmental changes
Examples of Algorithmic Countermeasures
● Real-time analysis of signal noise caused by raindrops and insects adhering to the sensor
● Compensation for changes in installation angle and background conditions
● Evaluation of subtle signal fluctuations to suppress false detections
Rather than simply trying to eliminate false alarms, our approach is to understand every reason why they occur and address each one individually.
Toward Further Technological Advancement
Toward Intelligence Through Data Utilization and Proprietary Technologies
Creating New Value with Smart Data.
From Providing Products to Solving Problems
In recent years, global demand for retrofitting existing equipment with digital capabilities has been expanding. The sensing DX market is also growing at more than 10% annually*, increasing demand for digitized field data. Optex is strengthening its edge computing technology, which extracts only the necessary information from signals acquired by sensors, and is using smart data to provide services such as the following.
● Remote monitoring of tank levels
● Monitoring of parking lot occupancy
● Simple monitoring of factory equipment abnormalities
Because inspection tasks that were previously performed manually can be digitized through retrofitting, on-site efficiency can be improved while keeping implementation costs low.
- Based on market reports from major research firms
Establishing Technologies In-House.
Moving Beyond Modules and Implementing XAI
As the next area of competition, Optex is pursuing optimization through in-house technology development and the implementation of explainable AI (XAI).
Moving Beyond Modules (In-House Technology Development)
● Integrated design of lenses/filters/circuits/algorithms
● Achieving environmental adaptability as a performance advantage that is unavailable from general-purpose modules offered by other companies
● Enabling parameter adjustment to suit phenomena specific to each site
Our in-house development is driven by the need for performance, not by an excessive desire to differentiate—we build it ourselves because it is necessary.
Introduction of XAI (Explainable AI)
This technology visualizes the reasons behind AI decisions and is becoming particularly important in safety-related fields.
● “Why was this person identified as suspicious?”
● “Which signal was judged to be abnormal?”
Providing this supporting rationale makes it easier for on-site operators to make decisions and helps improve the reliability of safety management.
Providing Peace of Mind, Safety, and Comfort Around the World
Through Sensing and a Commitment to Solving Problems
What Optex has cultivated over many years is the ability to understand environments not merely in theory, but as they actually are. Now, by combining this field expertise with data analysis and AI, sensing is moving into a new stage. Labor shortages, increasing disaster risks, and aging infrastructure are major social challenges. To address these challenges, the combination of reliable detection and intelligent data will serve as indispensable new infrastructure. Optex continues to steadily advance its technologies to achieve both the dependability required in the field and the intelligence needed to support the future.
