Computer Vision: The All-Seeing Solution

Computer vision is a field of computer science that enables computers to see, identify and analyze images or videos the same way that human vision does. Its’ ability to deeply learn about visual environments and their contexts makes computer vision popular among both scientists and businesses.

You’ve probably seen it in action many times without realizing it. Take the gaming console Microsoft Kinect, Google’s image retrieval feature, or Instagram’s face recognition filter. Yes, the very algorithm that can choose which Disney villain are you or put a dog’s nose and tongue on your face. These applications are derived from computer vision technology.

When the same technology is brought into an industrial environment, computer vision can bring a lot to the table. Here are some examples of its use in different industries:

Retail Industry

Retailers can use computer vision to make any shopping experience more exciting. Earlier this February, Seattle’s Amazon Go Grocery store has completely gotten rid of their check-out counters thanks to computer vision’s real-time image tracking and machine learning. In other retail stores, computer vision helps with loss prevention and detecting out-of-stock shelves by image recognition.

Manufacturing

Checking for product defects is now automated with computer vision. As the products come off the production line, computer vision’s image processing can flag different types of defects, even on the smallest product.

Defense and Security

A dozen security guards are needed to analyze an array of security video feeds at once, but what about monitoring hundreds of feeds? It’s impossible for humans, but not for computer vision. Banking businesses can enjoy a more accurate identification of customers coming in and out of the building. This provides better safety for everyone.

Government

Computer vision can help with monitoring the physical condition of assets like equipment and infrastructures. It can monitor compliance with policies and regulations in cargo handling, potential safety violations in buildings, review labels for adherence to guidelines, and predict maintenance needs for roads.

These are the many ways computer vision can be of use in different industries. When you decide to manage your business with computer vision technology, you get another dimension of visibility that cannot be provided otherwise; where the system can see the physical object and identify what needs to be done. This is the power of IoT. Decide to manage your business with IoT.