Machine Vision

Machine Vision is technically the ability for computers to see. However, the field of Machine Vision is much more complex than that. Machine Vision is an interdisciplinary field that draws on computer science, mathematics, signal processing, and physics to provide useful information from digital images. Machine Vision is closely related to, and a subset of, the field of Computer Vision, which deals with both image understanding and image generation.

Why Learn Machine Vision?

There are many reasons to learn about Machine Vision, including:

• Curiosity: Many learners are interested in solving how to get computers to see as humans do. There are philosophical problems that arise when you try to understand how the human brain accomplishes vision. Machine Vision offers a way to understand more about the nature of vision, both human and computer.
• Academic Requirements: Students in many degree programs, such as Computer Science and Engineering, are required to take courses in Machine Vision.
• Career Advancement: There are many careers that are either directly or indirectly related to Machine Vision, so learning about it can help you to advance your career and get the promotion you want.

A simple example of how Machine Vision is used in the real world is a grocery store self-checkout lane. The object recognition software uses Machine Vision to scan the items entering the checkout lane. The software needs to understand the orientation of the item, which can be challenging, and calculate its price in milliseconds. This requires applying a number of mathematical models over and over again to each item in real-time. Without Machine Vision, self-checkout lanes would not be possible.

Skills and Knowledge of Machine Vision

There are many skills and areas of knowledge that are helpful to those who want to learn Machine Vision, including: