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Computer Vision on Edge and its Applications

Dr. Jagreet Kaur Gill | 22 May 2023

Computer Vision on Edge and its Applications

What is Computer vision?

Computer vision aims to give machines the ability to interpret and comprehend visual data from their environment. It is a branch of artificial intelligence and computer science. It involves the development of algorithms, techniques, and models that allow machines to analyze and interpret digital images and videos and extract information from them. The goal of computer vision is to duplicate human vision and perception abilities, allowing machines to make sense of visual data in a way that is helpful for several applications.

Examples of computer vision applications include object recognition, image and video analysis, autonomous vehicles, facial recognition, medical image analysis, and robotics. Computer vision draws upon various disciplines, including mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, and engineering. It involves a combination of image processing, machine learning, and computer graphics techniques and the development of new algorithms and models for analyzing visual data.

The computer vision based technology that detects and analyzes human posture. Taken From Article, Human Pose Estimation for Sport Analytics

Human Life without Computer Vision

Without computer vision, human life would be very different from now. Many aspects of modern society and technology rely on computer vision, and its absence would have significant implications.  

Security and Surveillance  

In security and surveillance, the absence of computer vision would make it much more challenging to monitor and analyze images and videos from security cameras, which are used extensively in public spaces, homes, and businesses. This could threaten public safety and security.

Medical Field

In the medical field, computer vision is increasingly used to interpret pictures such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, allowing doctors to diagnose and treat diseases more correctly and efficiently. With computer vision, medical imaging would be more effective, and diagnoses would be more precise, potentially leading to poorer health outcomes.

Entertainment Industry  

Computer vision creates stunning visual effects and immersive virtual reality experiences. The absence of computer vision would make creating and enjoying these experiences more challenging.

Overall, the absence of computer vision would significantly impact many aspects of modern society, limiting our ability to develop advanced technologies, diagnose and treat diseases, ensure public safety and security, and create immersive entertainment experiences.

Automation and Robotics

One of the most significant impacts would be in the field of automation and robotics. Creating machines and robots that can sense and traverse the physical world, carry out tasks independently, and communicate with humans without computer vision would be challenging. This would limit the capabilities of many industries, such as manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare, where robots and automated systems are becoming increasingly important.

Face Recognition uses computer algorithms to find specific details about a person's face. Taken From Article, Face Recognition and Detection

Improving Human Life using Computer Vision

Computer vision has significantly impacted human life, transforming how we interact with technology and the world around us. Here are some of the critical ways that computer vision has impacted human life:

Enhanced Visual Recognition

Computer vision has enabled machines to recognize and interpret visual information more accurately and efficiently. This has led to facial recognition, object recognition, and image and video analysis advancements, with applications ranging from security and surveillance to autonomous vehicles and robotics.

Improved Medical Diagnosis and Treatment

Computer vision is increasingly used in medical imaging to improve medical diagnosis and treatment accuracy and speed. Computer vision algorithms can quickly analyze medical images such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, allowing doctors to detect and diagnose diseases more accurately and efficiently.

Increased Accessibility

Computer vision has made technology more accessible to people with disabilities. For example, computer vision is used in assistive technologies such as voice recognition software and text-to-speech systems, making it easier for people with visual or motor impairments to use technology.

Advanced Entertainment Experiences

Computer vision is used in the entertainment industry to create immersive virtual reality experiences and stunning visual effects in movies and video games. This has transformed how we experience entertainment, allowing us to be fully immersed in digital worlds.

Enhanced Security and Surveillance

Computer vision is increasingly used in security and surveillance systems, allowing for more effective monitoring and analysis of images and videos from security cameras. This has improved public safety and security in various settings, from public spaces to homes and businesses.

Computer vision has had a transformative impact on human life, enabling machines to understand better and interpret visual information, improving medical diagnosis and treatment, making technology more accessible, enhancing entertainment experiences, and improving security and surveillance.

AI-based Video Analytics's primary goal is to detect temporal and spatial events in videos automatically. Taken From Article, Video AI Benefits, Challenges and Use Cases

How Computer Vision improves Human Life with Edge Devices?

Computer vision has the potential to significantly improve human life with edge devices, which are small, lightweight, and energy-efficient computing devices that can perform complex computations at the edge of a network rather than relying on a centralized cloud computing system. Here are some of the ways that computer vision with edge devices can benefit human life:

Faster Processing

Edge devices with computer vision capabilities can process visual data in real time without an internet connection. This can be especially important in applications such as autonomous vehicles or robotics, where real-time processing is critical for safety and accuracy.

Improved Privacy and Security

With edge devices, visual data can be processed locally rather than sent to a centralized cloud system. This can help to improve privacy and security, as sensitive data is not transmitted over the internet.

Increased Accessibility

Edge devices with computer vision can be used in various settings, including remote or resource-constrained areas, where access to cloud computing systems may be limited or non-existent. This can help to make computer vision technology more accessible to people in a variety of locations and situations.

Reduced Latency

By processing data locally, edge devices can help to reduce latency in applications such as video conferencing or remote monitoring. This can improve the overall user experience and make these applications more reliable and efficient.

Energy Efficiency

Edge devices are designed to be energy-efficient, using minimal power to perform complex computations. This can reduce energy consumption and costs while reducing the environmental impact of computing. 

Overall, computer vision with edge devices has the potential to significantly improve human life by providing real-time processing, improved privacy and security, increased accessibility, reduced latency, and energy efficiency. These benefits can be significant in applications such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, healthcare, and remote monitoring, where real-time processing and reliability are critical.

Text Analytics is the method of transforming unstructured text data into significant data for analysis. Taken From Article, Text Analytics Tools and its Techniques

Applications of Computer Vision on the Edge

There are a variety of applications where computer vision on edge devices has actually improved human life and can improve it in the coming future. Some of which are:

Healthcare

Edge devices with computer vision capabilities can be used in healthcare applications to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. For example, wearable devices with computer vision can monitor patients for signs of disease or injury and alert medical professionals if intervention is needed. This can help to reduce hospital readmissions and improve patient outcomes.

Manufacturing

Computer vision on edge devices can be used in manufacturing applications to improve quality control and reduce waste. For example, computer vision algorithms can quickly analyze images of manufactured parts to detect defects or flaws, allowing manufacturers to identify and correct issues before products are shipped.

Smart Homes

Edge devices with computer vision can be used in innovative home applications to improve energy efficiency, security, and convenience. For example, intelligent cameras with computer vision can detect when people are in a room and adjust lighting and temperature settings accordingly. They can also alert homeowners if an intruder is detected, improving home security.

Agriculture

Computer vision on edge devices can be used in agriculture applications to improve crop yields and reduce waste. For example, drones with computer vision can quickly analyze images of crops to detect diseases, pests, or other issues, allowing farmers to take corrective action before crops are lost.

Public safety

Edge devices with computer vision can be used in public safety applications to improve emergency response times and reduce crime. For example, cameras with computer vision can quickly analyze images of a crime scene and alert law enforcement if a suspect is detected. They can also provide real-time situational awareness during natural disasters or other emergencies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the impact of using computer vision on edge devices for human life is significant and multifaceted. The use of computer vision on edge devices can bring a new level of convenience, safety, and efficiency to our daily lives. It can help reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve decision-making accuracy. However, it is also essential to consider the potential challenges and risks that come with this technology. The collection and processing of large amounts of personal data raise concerns about privacy and security, and there is a risk of biases in the algorithms used for computer vision. It is, therefore, essential to develop and implement ethical and transparent guidelines for using computer vision on edge devices.