Using an HD camera, a special lighting system, and a laser scanner, the setup can count grapes as small as 4mm in diameter, and using algorithms, is able to use the number of grapes and convert that to an estimated harvest yield. And while the margin of error is 9.8 percent, in humans, it’s 30, demonstrating that the Computer Vision system is more efficient and possibly more cost-effective.
Before, scientists used to simulate this behavior and then compare it to what occurs with birds in real life in an attempt to demonstrate the how and the why. However, now computer vision can measure both position and velocity of objects in a frame, thanks to the work of William Bialek at Princeton University, which is demonstrating that birds are capable of matching the speed and direction of their neighbor birds.
Additionally, the concept of “critical point” helps explain this, showing that the social desires of the birds overwhelms the motivation of each individual bird, as they work toward flying as a collective flock and not as solo birds.
There still remains more to be seen and explored, but check out this study for further reading.
Most everyone can recall a time when doctors or nurses have needed to draw blood or give shots and had trouble finding the proper veins. A company in California is all too familiar with this scenario, and in an effort to make the process of drawing blood more efficient, has created Veebot.
Veebot is essentially a robot phlebotomist. Relying on infrared lighting, an infrared camera, image analysis software, and ultrasound technology, the robot is able to locate the best vein for taking blood. All of this is checked and double-checked in the span of a few seconds in order to ensure that the first needle prick is successful.
Currently, the Veebot has been correct in its identification about 83% of the time, which is better than the average of humans. Once it has reached a 90% success rate, the company hopes to use the machine in clinical trials.
To see how this machine works, watch the video below:
With a focus on player roles, the research zeroes in on the tactics, strategy, and style for players and their teams. Eight cameras recording high-definition video are used to record matches and data from these is analyzed against other matches. The compiled information can give insight into strengths and weaknesses of teams and solid strategies for how to better face their opponents.
Roboray is the name of the robot, who relies on cameras, real-time 3D visual maps, and computer vision algorithms to move around, “remembering” where he has been before. This allows the robot to navigate autonomously, even when GPS information is not available. The technology used for Roboray also allows the robot to walk in a more human-like manner, with gravity helping him walk. This not only requires less energy, but gives the robot a more human-like appearance.
Would you consider purchasing a robot like Roboray? What kinds of tasks would you find the robot most helpful in assisting you with?
In an effort to help protect and conserve endangered species, scientists have been tracking and tagging them for years. However, there are some species that are either too large in population or too sensitive to tagging, and researchers have been working on another way to track them.
Now, thanks to SLOOP, a new computer vision software program from MIT, identifying animals has never been easier. A human sorting through 10,000 images would likely take years to properly identify animals, but this computer program cuts down the manpower and does things much quicker. Through the use of pattern-recognition algorithms, the program is able to match up stripes and spots on an animal and return 20 images that are likely matches, giving researchers a much smaller and more accurate pool to work with. Then the researchers turn to crowdsourcing, and with the aid of adept pattern-matchers, are able to narrow things down even more, resulting in 97% accuracy. This will allow researchers to spend more practical time in the field working on conversation efforts instead of wasting time in front of a computer screen.
For most people, getting a duplicate key made is not so difficult a process. Of course dealerships charge more for car keys, but regular keys to your house or office often only cost a couple dollars to have made at your local hardware store. However, a new company, Schloosl, is using computer vision to make copies of keys that not only work, but in some cases are superior to the originals.
Before computer vision, keys had been made from photographs before, but it was a precise and difficult art. However, cameras and computer vision of today have made it much easier. Of course, people may ask why it is any better than a hardware store copy, and that’s due to the precision.
Instead of using a blank key that is roughly the same and cutting a copy from an inferior version of a key, computer vision is able to analyze photos pinpoint the exact measurements so that spacing between teeth and deepness or shallowness of the teeth is more accurate, resulting in a better overall product.
What are your thoughts? Would a better key make a difference for you? For more on this, read the Shloosl blog.
Is facial recognition becoming too intrusive? As this technology advances, are we losing control of our privacy? See what 60 Minutes had to say about the topic.
http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf
Computer Vision has many practical uses, ranging from security enhancement to making our lives easier, but what about art?
A new project, Shinseungback Kimyounghung, was launched by two South Koreans who are using Computer Vision to find faces in the clouds. This is similar to how children often lay on their backs and point out shapes in the sky, but instead, relies on computer algorithms to spot faces.
However, while the project appears artistic on surface level, examining it deeper reveals a study comparison how computers see versus how humans see. What the end result will be isn’t yet clear at this point, but it’s an interesting and thoughtful take on the subject nonetheless.
ComputerVisionSoftware 