Orbbec’s 3D cam dev kit runs Linux on Amlogic A311D

  • 2021.01.24
  • Linux Gizmo

[Updated: 1PM] — Orbbec has launched a $143 “Zora P1” development board for its cameras that runs Linux on an Amlogic A311D. It also previewed ToF, industrial 3D, and Astra+ 3D cameras.

Orbbec has launched a Linux development board for its 3D depth cameras, such as the circa-2015 Astra Pro, which is incorporated on its
Linux-based Persee camera computer. The Zora P1 features a high-end, hexa-core Amlogic A311D plus HDMI, GbE with optional PoE, WiFi/BT, MIPI-DSI and -CSI, and 5x USB ports.


The Zora P1 supports the development of autonomous robots, compact imaging units, and gaming devices in applications including retail analytics, healthcare, industrial robots, factory automation, smart buildings, AR/VR, and machine learning. Orbbec also previewed some upcoming depth cameras, including an Astra+, a ToF Sensor, and an industrial 3D camera (see farther below).

The Zora P1 is available for $142.50 with 4GB DDR4 and an empty eMMC socket, a slight discount from the eventual $150. The board runs Ubuntu 18.04 and Android 9 on the Amlogic A311D (PDF), which drives the Khadas Vim3, one of the most powerful Arm SBCs in our recently updated catalog of 140 Linux hacker boards.

 

The A311D has 4x Cortex-A73 cores at up to 2.2GHz and 2x Cortex-A53 @ 1.8GHz. There is also a Mali-G52 MP4 GPU, a Cortex-M4 MCU, and an up to 5-TOPS neural processor with support for deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow and Caffe.

The 116 x 100mm Zora P1 board ships with 4GB DDR4, a microSD slot, and swappable eMMC options ranging from 16GB (add $15) to 64GB (add $45). The board offers 802.11ac with Bluetooth 5.0 and an Ipex antenna plus a GbE port with an optional Power-over-Ethernet module coming later this year.

 

The Zora P1 provides an HDMI 2.1 port and MIPI-DSI and CSI interfaces. Audio features include a microphone and PDM mic interface. Other features includes 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, and a micro-USB OTG port. You also get a 42-pin GPIO header, a UART header, an LED, and buttons for power, reset, update, and ADC.

The SBC is powered by a 12V jack and a choice of adapters and offers an onboard Real-Time Clock. An acryclic case and heatsink are standard, with future options planned for a fan, a metallic case, a 3D camera stand, a sensor insert, and more.