Noncontactbased

Noncontact-based refers to methods, systems, or technologies that measure, detect, or interact with a subject or object without requiring physical contact. These approaches use remote sensing to acquire information with energy forms such as light, sound, or electromagnetic waves.

Common noncontact modalities include optical sensing (cameras, structured light, stereo vision, and laser triangulation), time-of-flight and LiDAR, infrared thermography, radar and other radio-frequency sensing, and noncontact ultrasonic methods such as air-coupled ultrasound.

Applications span manufacturing and metrology (3D scanning, defect inspection), robotics and automation (object detection, pose estimation, gesture control), medical and life sciences (remote vital signs monitoring, thermography), security and surveillance, and automotive and aerospace (autonomous navigation, collision avoidance).

Advantages of noncontact-based systems include noninvasiveness, speed, safety for delicate subjects, and the ability to capture data from moving targets with less wear and tear on equipment. Limitations can include sensitivity to lighting, weather, or occlusions; sometimes lower resolution or accuracy depending on modality; higher equipment costs; and more complex data processing and calibration requirements.

Examples of noncontact-based techniques include infrared thermography for heat distribution, structured-light 3D scanning for surface geometry, LiDAR for precise distance measurement, and video-based photoplethysmography for noncontact heart rate estimation.

See also: contact-based measurement, non-contact sensing, remote sensing.