How does it work?
Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables computers and systems to derive meaningful information from digital images, videos and other visual inputs — and take actions or make recommendations based on that information. If AI enables computers to think, computer vision enables them to see, observe and understand. Using this technology in conjunction with mechanical limbs allows for machines to perform tasks that were previously impossible for them.
"Computer vision is one of the areas in machine learning where core concepts are already being integrated into major products that we use every day."
- Ilija Mihajlovic
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Computer vision plays a large part in the function of self-driving cars, facial recognition systems, augmented reality, and healthcare detection. It has a wide range of practical uses and is in some cases essential to making innovations work at all.
"The ability to perceive the shape and motion of hands can be a vital component in improving the user experience across a variety of technological domains and platforms. For example, it can form the basis for sign language understanding and hand gesture control, and can also enable the overlay of digital content and information on top of the physical world in augmented reality. While coming naturally to people, robust real-time hand perception is a decidedly challenging computer vision task, as hands often occlude themselves or each other (e.g. finger/palm occlusions and hand shakes) and lack high contrast patterns."
-Google AI Blog
For example, surgeons have started utilizing robotic hands controlled entirely by their own movements to operate on patients within hospitals. Texas A&M explains, "By controlling robotic fingers with movements of their own fingers, surgeons can perform intricate procedures remotely, thus expanding the number of patients that they can provide medical attention. Also, the tiny size of the robotic fingers means that surgeries are possible with much smaller incisions since surgeons need not make large cuts to accommodate for their hands in the patient's body during operations." This system of robotic surgery has been wildly successful, and has ensured that patients are able to receive the safest treatment available.