Computer vision is a technology that uses computers to identify people and objects in images and videos. It has continued to develop since its emergence in the 1960s and is used in various fields. This article will introduce the areas where computer vision is used, along with real-life use cases.
What is computer vision?
Computer vision is a technology in which a computer captures and processes images and videos, allowing the computer to recognize and identify people and objects in the images. By equipping computers with functions comparable to human vision, they can process large amounts of data faster and more accurately.
Application areas of computer vision
Computer vision is used in various fields. For example, it is used for quality control and automatic inspection in the manufacturing industry, while in the medical field it is useful for image evaluation and surgical support. This also applies to the development of driverless vehicles and security systems. This increases efficiency and accuracy.
Correlation with deep learning
Deep learning is a type of artificial intelligence that uses large amounts of data to learn on its own. This evolution of deep learning has led to major advances in computer vision technology. In particular, image recognition technology using deep learning has made it possible to recognize and analyze images with high accuracy.
Historical background of computer vision
The history of computer vision began in the 1960s. It initially attracted attention as a technology for identifying shapes, improving the image quality of satellite images, and analyzing CT images. In the 1980s, it began to attract attention as a field of artificial intelligence, and research progressed in the areas of object recognition and pattern recognition. In the 1990s, there was a transition to “machine vision”, which was primarily used for visual inspection in factories, and “robot vision”, which included positioning with industrial robots such as industrial product assembly robots and the detection and attachment of cameras. Autonomous mobile robots have also made progress in their applications.
In the last 10 years, computer vision has increasingly been used in products used by ordinary consumers, and it can be said that computer vision has now become a familiar technology.
Examples of the use of computer vision by industry.
Computer vision technology is used in various industries. Here we will provide examples of how computer vision technology is used in three sectors.
Use case in the manufacturing sector
Computer vision is used in factory lines and distribution warehouses. In the manufacturing sector, the introduction of computer vision technology is being promoted to promote smart factories using advanced technologies such as IoT and AI. For example, cameras and sensors can be used to recognize product shapes and colors, detect abnormalities and defects, read product labels and barcodes, and automatically manage inventory.
Use case in the entertainment industry.
In the entertainment industry, it is used for projection mapping, which projects images onto three-dimensional objects such as buildings. It reads the 3D information of the building or other object on which the image is projected and projects the image by changing the shape to match the shape. Computer vision is used to recognize objects during projection.
Use case in the medical industry
Computer vision is used in the medical industry for image diagnosis and surgical support. For example, there is a technology that analyzes MRI and CT scan images and automatically locates the lesion. This increases diagnostic accuracy and increases the effectiveness of early detection and treatment. Systems have also been developed that analyze images in real-time during surgery and provide supporting information to doctors.
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4 examples of the use of computer vision.
Computer vision is used in many areas other than the industries mentioned above. Here we will introduce specific use cases.
Facial recognition
Computer vision is used to unlock smartphones and control access to offices. The technology that detects sophisticated objects and identifies people is called “facial recognition”. This facial recognition feature enables unlocking and room entry/exit control by verifying the identity of people based on the positions of specific points such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Automated driving support for cars
Computer vision is also used in autonomous driving technology. For example, applications are being developed that predict pedestrian movements and detect pedestrians who may enter dangerous areas. The technology is used in systems that recognize not only pedestrians but also surrounding cars and buildings, supporting safer driving.
We are not yet at the point of fully autonomous driving, so further developments are expected.
Unmanned Cash Register System
There are also unmanned cash register systems that use artificial intelligence, deep learning and computer vision technologies. There are also systems that can correctly identify multiple products in a basket in about 1 second. It is possible to recognize subtle differences in products in a way that humans can see. These systems greatly reduce the time required for registration and reduce customer waiting time.
Virtual makeup
Virtual makeup is also a technology that uses computer vision and AR. AR stands for “Augmented Reality”. You can view a 3D image that is not actually present in the image captured by the camera.
With Virtual Makeup, you can apply makeup virtually to a photo taken with a camera and check the result.
Summary
Computer vision is a technology that extracts information from images and videos and uses computers to recognize and identify people and objects in images. It is currently used in the manufacturing, entertainment and medical industries, contributing to improved performance and accuracy. It is predicted that its use will become even more widespread in the future, and the technology is expected to continue to develop.