Automatic Minirhizotron Camera System for 24/7 Root Imaging
AC-21 Automatic Minirhizotron camera. Field deployable, fully automatic MR camera, developed and tested within the NextMR-IAA and FutureArctic EU research and innovation projects. We are happy to discuss the application potential of the automatic root imager in detail; for manual UHD root and rhizosphere imaging of many tubes consider the MS-190 root imager; see also the overview on all VSI minirhizotron cameras & accessories. Consider using soil moisture probes to determine key abiotic factors affecting root growth by depth - installed adjacent to the Minirhizotron observation tubes.
AC-21 - Features
- 24/7 root and rhizosphere imaging in the field, greenhouse or growth chamber
- Ultra high resolution (>2000 dpi)
- Convenient & fast imaging, very fast, no "white calibration" required; image distortion is corrected by included software
- 360° coverage of minirhizotron tube surface
- Precise image positioning with auto zero setting
- "MR Editor" software (see below) for easy, wireless experimental setup (Tablet), LED status light for visual feedback on operating status
- 24 V DC power supply - on grid, batteries, PV systems - save to operate
- Fits vertical to 45-50° angled MR Tubes (6.4 cm internal diameter and larger; 500 mm or 1000 mm tube length)
AC-21 - Specifications
- Image Size (7 cm MR tube): 40 mm x 30 mm (native), 20 mm x 20 mm (resized after distortion correction)
- Image resolution/format & illumination: 8 MP camera (3280 x 2464 px; >2000 dpi); *.jpg; option to save in lower resolution; 2x 3W COB LED-strips, ~330 lumen at 6500K, automatic or manually adjustable
- Imaging capture & processing: <1 second per image; ICAP naming scheme
- Operation Unit/User interace: Surface Pro Go 3 Tablet (Microsoft), 10'', connected wireless; VSI software "MR Editor" for experimental set-up (not required for operation), ICAP naming scheme
- Image export: via USB flash drive (128 GB drive included)
- Power supply: 24V DC, plug in, consumption 72 W max., <1 W sleep mode
- Materials/Dimensions/Weights: diameter of camera housing ~110 mm; Weight depending on tube lenght ca. 4-5 kg
AC-21 - In The Box
Click to Open/CloseAC-21 Camera Kits
For replicated experimentation, the AC-21 system is available in competitively priced sets of
- 3x AC-21 minirhizotron camera systems (1x Tablet computer), or
- 5x AC-21 MR camera systems (1x Tablet computer).
Please get in touch to learn about the price advantages of the automatic root imaging kits.
MR Editor Software - Application for Setting up Imaging Routines
The VSI MR Editor is the application that allows to control the automatic minirhizotron (MR) device AC-21. It enables to design experiments, program and run imaging routines directly (e.g. when the camera is used for irregular imaging campaigns in the lab) or by scheduling imaging sessions (if the camera is set to remain in a certain MR tube for a longer time span - days to months). It also allows to eject the USB flash drive (which stores the MR images). Finally, the MR device can be switched off from the MR editor. Details on the VSI MR Editor app are found in the MR Editor manual (pdf) below.
AC-21 Automatic Root Imager in USe
