- Published On: 25.05.2023
- EHS Software
Industry 4.0 refers to the digital transformation of manufacturing/production and allied industries and value generation activities. It relates to the future of manufacturing and production in which robots, sensors, and machine-to-machine communication compose the factory floor. It is also a term manufacturers use to describe their current role in making intelligent factories.
The proliferation of goods demonstrates how pervasive vision application is in the Industry 4.0 paradigm. The hardware and software components available for computer vision in Industry 4.0 are the topic of the first section of this series. The second part of this series lists companies’ actual applications today to improve their manufacturing operations.
What is the Origin of Industry 4.0?
“Industry 4.0” is derived from the German phrase “Industrie 4.0.” It was initially employed in a project as part of a high-tech plan to revolutionize German manufacturing. The Internet and cyber-physical systems were prioritized, with a greater emphasis on production, people, the environment, and security.
What are the Design Concepts for Industry 4.0?
Industry 4.0 design concepts enable the identification and realization of applications in industrial change. The design principles are as follows:
Interoperability.
Virtualization.
Decentralization.
Real-time functionality.
Service oriented.
Modularity.
What is Computer Vision, and how has it Progressed Over Time?
Computer vision is a massive field of study with many different applications and techniques. We will be focusing on computer vision as it is applied to industrial applications. In general, computer vision is the science of letting computers detect objects in pictures or video.
This field of study has made enormous progress in accuracy and speed in the last ten years. This is a big reason why it may seem like Industry 4.0 is happening overnight when the truth is that the evolution of vision has been happening for decades.
What Is the Role of Computer Vision in Industry 4.0?
Industry 4.0 is currently a trendy topic. Catchphrases like the Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Factory, Big Data, Digital Twin, and Artificial Intelligence describe increasing automation of manufacturing plants and comprehensive networking of the most diverse systems to integrate information technology into industry fully.
Computer vision is vital under the umbrella of information technology. Machine vision is an essential part of any automated system. This is true for hardware, such as robots, and the software used for image processing or training artificial neural networks (Deep Learning).
The 50 Most Exciting Uses of Computer Vision
We have compiled a list of 50 industries with the most computer vision use in the smart factories. Many other industries will probably be added to this list, and there are many new startups in this space.
The list of the fascinating applications of computer vision today is as follows:
1. Visual Inspection
Computer vision’s most common usage is inspection. This encompasses electronic, auto, and printed image flaws. Machine vision can detect defects to automate product sorting and assembly line flow.
2. Human Machine Interfaces (HMI)
While HMI is a massive field of study on its own, HMI will become more involved with computer vision as time goes by. This is because the cameras are becoming smaller and making it easier to embed them into machinery to monitor what’s going on around a machine or robot.
3. Selfie Drone
One of the essential new products hitting the market in recent years is a technology known as the Selfie Drone. This drone connects to a user’s phone and flies about 30 feet above them so they can take photos and videos from above for fun or post them on social media.
4. Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance is a sophisticated computer vision application. This involves recognizing and anticipating failure. Fault diagnosis, diagnostics, and predictive maintenance all employ this technology.
5. Package Inspection
Detecting product defects is especially important to the packaging industry because of the shipping cost of sending back defective products. Package inspectors can use computer vision to apply a variety of inspections on packages before they leave a facility.
6. Reading Text and Barcodes
All sectors that use printed materials, such as packaging, read and process barcodes. The newspaper business uses machine vision to read, recognize, orient, and count printed pictures.
7. Medical Robotics
The medical industry has many uses for computer vision, including watching patients while they sleep, monitoring medical personnel, reading medical records and using robots to assist with medical procedures.
8. 3D Vision Inspection
3D vision inspection is quite a new development in computer vision, but it promises to open up many new possibilities. With 3D vision inspection, you can see measurements in three dimensions instead of just two and used to reject defective products while they are still on the line.
9. Improving Worker Safety
Vision enhancement is another packaging industry innovation. Enhanced vision looks at people as they enter to view and develops a digital profile. This profile is used to determine if they work securely.
10. Products and Components Assembly
One of the most significant characteristics of Industry 4.0 is that it will occur in real time and not be limited to a point in time or a specific set of machines. Computer vision is one of the most critical technologies that allow this kind of production.
11. Automatic Document Classification
Automated document categorization uses machines to read barcodes and produce images and text with less information. This technology is utilized for technical documents, driver’s license, and passports.
12. Self-driving Cars
Industry 4.0 will automate elements of the process by adding a computer vision system to help make decisions. Self-driving cars will have cameras that continually scan their surroundings and judge based on this data.
13. Remote Viewing
One of the newest uses for computers is real-time site watching to avert worker mishaps. Construction workers use remote viewing to designate their work areas and prevent accidents when a worker falls from a structure.
14. Pedestrian Detection
Image recognition cameras on vehicles warn drivers about pedestrians. This is essential for the auto sector since computers can be used to build automobiles. Poor rear visibility might jeopardize automobile safety.
15. Mainframe Security
Computer vision has various security applications, but mainframe security is vital. The first line of defense for a mainframe system is a security system that monitors everything passed and checked.
16. Traffic Flow Analysis
Another important aspect of Industry 4.0, especially in traffic flow analysis, is the placement and movement of objects or vehicles in a system. Traffic flow analysis is all about analyzing how vehicles move throughout a system and where they are at each point in time.
17. 3D Scanning
3d scanning is a technology that is constantly improving but remains a critical aspect of Industry 4.0. One such example today includes the ability to scan products using cameras that can detect and read barcodes without manual inspection.
18. X-Ray Analysis
Computer vision is also critical to the medical industry today. As technology improves and moves forward into the future, computer vision will be able to process a variety of x-ray analyses using computer algorithms that can detect broken bones and other issues.
19. CT and MRI
Doctors are also using computer vision to improve their CT and MRI scanners. The emitted X-rays must be read swiftly and precisely, which is a job that a computer can accomplish considerably more quickly than a human.
20. Digital Pathology
Digital pathology is becoming much more common in the medical industry. Digital pathology uses advanced scanning technology, such as computer vision, to collect and analyze images instead of a microscope.
21. Facial Recognition in Surveillance
New surveillance cameras are being made with the ability to scan faces and run against a database. This technology is critical in airports and other facilities where safety is paramount.
22. Enhanced Surveillance for Soldiers
Another major part of Industry 4.0 is the invention of new military technology, such as increased monitoring of soldiers in the field. Cameras that can sense infrared, record at fast speed and scan barcodes have been provided to soldiers.
23. Crop and Yield Monitoring
Another essential part of Industry 4.0 is crop and production monitoring. Previously, manual inspection was used, but computer vision has improved that process several ways.
24. Controlling Automated Machines
A final example of the importance of computer vision in Industry 4.0 is controlling automated machines. One example is a camera that scans barcodes and tells an automated machine how to move a particular product along its assembly line.
25. Animal Control
Many animals are given the capacity to be watched by a computer vision system that can follow their movements throughout farms or institutions. This technology is significant since it allows individuals to give better care to their animals while making less manual effort.
26. Livestock Health Monitoring
One of the benefits of using computer vision to monitor livestock health is that it produces much more data than manual inspection. This allows for better and more accurate readings for livestock health, which will allow for improved health care and less disease.
27. Traffic Monitoring
The need for such a technology is significant for larger cities that have traffic problems. Several cameras can run along roads, monitor traffic and alert people to potential accidents.
28. Aerial Survey and Imaging
Another important aspect of Industry 4.0 is using computer vision technology to survey and take photos of things at a remote site. The ability to do this in high resolution and without the need for manual labor is essential in industries such as construction, mining and agriculture.
29. Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is becoming increasingly widespread thanks to computer vision devices that can scan a human body. The world’s hospitals will soon use this technology.
30.Eye-Trackers
Computer vision is also used as an eye-tracker to help people with disabilities. A computer vision system that can monitor eye movement can help disabled individuals read and play games.
31. Transforming Parts
Computer vision is also being used to transform damaged parts that need repair. For example, remote inspection without human intervention will transform an amount into its correct state.
32. Surgery
Computer vision is also being used in surgery to aid in surgical procedures. Computer vision is used to track body parts during a process and aid in tasks such as finding tumors.
33. Anatomy
Computer vision is being used to assist medical students by providing them with an interactive anatomy book that allows them to interact with the material and dissect a scientist in front of them.
34. Medical Training
Computer vision is also being used to create interactive medical training simulations. These simulations help doctors learn better ways of opening people up through a more lifelike experience.
35. Cinematography
Computer vision is utilized to create dramatic cinematography. Computer vision systems monitor objects and capture them from numerous perspectives to produce attractive pictures.
36. People Counts and Foot Traffic
Computer vision also counts individuals and tracks foot movement. Placing cameras at a facility’s entrances and exits may capture information and give data such as how many clients walked through and the busiest periods.
37. Space Marines
Space marines are trained via computer vision. Computer vision systems can automate numerous operations requiring manual involvement, such as directing missiles or assessing gun firing angles.
38. Intelligent Video Analytics
As computer vision becomes prevalent, it can also be used to create video analytics. Video analytics is a process that uses computer vision to identify new patterns and trends.
39. Irrigation Management
Computer vision was also used to measure and update the amount of water flowing through irrigation systems. This can help extensive facilities ensure they have enough water and provide detailed information that farmers can use.
40. Endoscopes
Endoscopes can also employ computer vision, allowing surgeons and doctors to see up-close details of a patient’s insides and execute surgeries more effectively.
41. Sketching from Photographs
Computer vision can use a snapshot of a face to create a photo sketch that seems like a person drew it. These graphics are frequently more detailed than human sketching and are used for amusement or art.
42. Tracking Soil Moisture
Computer vision was developed to allow farmers to monitor their irrigation systems. This will enable them to get the most accurate measurements possible, which will help provide the best possible results for farming operations.
43. Traditional Distribution Fault Categorization
Computer vision is used in factories to measure lighting and other equipment for faults. This alerts factories to any faulty machinery, allowing them to be fixed or replaced more promptly and efficiently.
44. Gesticulations of the Hands Detection and Recognition
Computer vision is also being used to recognize hand gestures, which will make it easier for people to interact with computing systems without the need for keyboard input or mouse movement.
45. Algorithm for Face Recognition Software
Computer vision is also being used in facial image processing. This allows a computer vision system to take a face and identify objects within the beginning, such as eyes, noses or mouths.
46. Vehicle Counting and Classification
Computer vision is also used in vehicle counting and classification to determine the number of vehicles on a freeway or highway. This helps governments forecast automobile speeds and maintenance needs more accurately.
47. Search Engine for Reverse Images
Computer vision is also being used as an image reverse search engine. This allows a computer vision system to take an image or video and search for similar images. This helps corporations find identical products, helps people find similar clothing and many other uses.
48. Detection of Edges and Contours
Computer vision is used to identify and measure an object’s edges and outlines. This facilitates a computer vision system determining how crisp or distinct an item appears, hence the picture or video’s quality.
49. Canvas of the Air
The use of computer vision as an air canvas is also being investigated. This is a computer vision method to detect an object’s color, shape, and overall form. The thing may then be transformed into a different color, shape, or form without the assistance of a person.
50. Recognition of Optical Characters
Computer vision is also used in optical character recognition, which uses computer vision to analyze text inside an image or video. This allows a computer to read text from images, which can be used for many different purposes.
Conclusion
Computer vision improves productivity, ROI, and safety by streamlining the industrial process. It is transforming production by making it more intelligent, more productive, and more efficient, all while prioritizing employee safety. The services that computer vision will be used for are only limited by human imagination.
It will continue to grow as more people become aware of what this technology can accomplish. These methods may be used for various circumstances, including industry, journalism, and healthcare. Computer Vision essentially acts as the eyes for computers, and it can interpret the images received from a video camera.
- 25.05.2023
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