How computer vision is changing the world

1. What is computer vision?

AI has made great strides in recent years, thanks partly to computer vision advances. This technology allows computers to interpret and understand visual data and perform tasks that are typically beyond the capabilities of human beings. For example, AI-powered systems can now accurately identify objects, track moving targets, and even read facial expressions. In the coming years, AI will become even more sophisticated as researchers continue to develop new techniques for teaching computers to see and understand the world around them. As AI technologies continue to advance, they are likely to profoundly impact society, changing how we live, work, and interact with one another.

2. How does it work?

Computer vision is the process of giving machines the ability to see, and it's becoming more and more important as we move towards a future with more and more autonomous devices. The basic idea behind computer vision is that images can be broken down into small, manageable chunks called patches, and each patch can be analyzed using a mathematical function called a kernel. One popular kernel type is the convolutional neural network (CNN), a deep learning algorithm that can learn to recognize complex objects and scenes. CNN's have been used to identify facial features, hand gestures, and even tumors in CT scans.

3. Applications of computer vision

Online stores have an advantage over brick-and-mortar stores when it comes to analyzing customer behavior. With the vast amount of data that is collected online, companies like Amazon can use their digital platform's analysis capabilities to detail and optimize the user experience. The retail industry is also trying to keep up with this optimization level and create the ideal customer experience. However, until now, the tools to automatically capture the interaction of people with displayed items have been missing. Computer vision is now able to close this gap in the retail industry.

Combined with existing security cameras, algorithms can automatically evaluate video material and study customer behavior. For example, the current number of people in the store can be counted at any time, which is a useful application during the COVID-19 pandemic with restrictions on the maximum number of visitors allowed in stores. By understanding customer behavior patterns, retailers will be better equipped to optimize the shopping experience for their customers.

4. The future of computer vision

Computer vision has an exciting future in commercial real estate. Investors are turning to computer vision to help them evaluate properties and find the best deals. Real estate developers are using computer vision to create 3D models of properties, which helps them plan construction projects and visualize how the finished product will look. Here are some other uses of computer vision in commercial real estate in the future:

·????????Cashier-less points of sale

·????????Customer demography

·????????“Person of interest” recognition for repeat offenders

·????????Heat maps

·????????Inventory management and optimization

·????????Loitering, shelf-sweep detection, and other behavioral analytics

·????????Mask and weapon detection

·????????Shopper journey and pathing analysis

·????????Traffic counters

·????????Theft detection and stolen item recognition

·????????Vehicle alerts

·????????Virtual mirrors