21 Examples of Computer Vision Applications Across Industries

Computer vision, a field within artificial intelligence (AI), drives innovation by enabling computers, robots, and other machines to act on visual data and make decisions based on the objects in their field of view. Computer vision applications range from increasing the accuracy of medical diagnostics to improving customer experiences in both e-commerce and real-world shopping, making it a dynamic and rapidly evolving technology.

Explore computer vision applications in retail, e-commerce, health care, manufacturing, agriculture, etc. 

What is computer vision?

Computer vision is a technology that allows computers, robots, or other AI models to react to visual cues. An example of this technology is using your phone’s QR scanner to access a digital product like a website. To accomplish this, your phone’s camera captures the image of what it needs to analyze and sends it to a type of deep learning model called a convolutional neural network (CNN). The CNN breaks the image down to the pixel level and analyzes what it sees, comparing it to a vast amount of training data to determine what objects are in the image. In this case, a QR code signals to the computer which digital product you want to access. 

What does computer vision do?

Computer vision can perform many tasks, including detecting objects, classifying images, and tracking objects, like a car or a tennis ball, as they move through space on a video. Computer vision can also make it easier to search for images, such as a specific item when shopping or a specific aspect of a visual idea. For example, you might want to search for arts and crafts projects made with red craft sticks or for a pair of navy blue socks. Computer vision allows the computer to interact with images to decide if they match the specified criteria of your search for a project made with red craft sticks or for navy blue socks. This technology can create a better experience for end users and developers who no longer need to manually tag images. 

Computer vision applications in the real world

Scientists have developed uses for computer vision in industries ranging from health care to e-commerce to public safety to city planning. Explore 21 different computer vision applications in the real world. 

Computer vision applications in daily life

You may already have more experience with computer vision than you realize. Some of the uses for computer vision in your day-to-day life include:

• Converting physical documents to digital files: You can use computer vision to scan a piece of paper and create a digital file such as a PDF.

• Unlocking your smartphone: If your phone has a face lock, it uses computer vision to recognize your face and allow you to access the rest of the phone. 

• Automatic translation: Using Google Translate, you can point your smartphone camera at nearly any type of writing you encounter in the real world and automatically receive a translation. 

Self-driving vehicles

Self-driving vehicles—a hotly anticipated advancement in artificial intelligence—require computer vision to accomplish many different aspects of driving. Some of the ways self-driving vehicles use computer vision include: 

• Obstacle avoidance: Computer vision enables self-driving cars to see and respond to obstacles. One recent study proposed taking inspiration from insects to improve obstacle avoidance in dark or complex environments [1]. Locusts and other insects have a special neuron in their visual system that rapidly responds when objects are approaching, allowing them to change course quickly and avoid the object reflexively. Using this neuron as inspiration, AI scientists are developing similar artificial intelligence for self-driving cars. 

• Predicting driver behavior: Computer vision technology can be paired with AI models that recognize unsafe traffic situations and predict driving behavior, which can help reduce the risk of accidents. 

Health care and pharmaceuticals

In health care, computer vision can help medical professionals work faster and more efficiently with increased accuracy. Some of the ways that doctors and other health care professionals use computer vision include: 

• Medicine delivery: As a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, you might use computer vision to scan a medication label to confirm you are giving the correct dose to the correct patient, reducing the likelihood of human error. 

• Medical imaging: In areas of health care like radiology, pathology, and dermatology, computer vision can help you analyze medical images for faster and more accurate diagnostics. 

• Blood loss measurement: Computer vision can help you accurately measure blood loss during medical procedures, improving patient care and reducing the time you spend measuring this data manually. 

Manufacturing

Computer vision streamlines manufacturing processes, enhances quality control, and improves safety protocols. Some of the applications for computer vision in manufacturing include: 

• Defect inspection: You can use computer vision systems to inspect products on assembly lines for defects or irregularities, ensuring quality control and reducing human error. 

• Safety compliance monitoring: Computer vision can help you monitor safety protocol compliance by detecting workers who need to take proper safety precautions. 

Agriculture

Farmers and other agricultural professionals can use computer vision to provide insight into the factors that impact their work, such as the health of their crops or livestock. Some uses for computer vision in agriculture include: 

• Monitoring the health of livestock or crops: You can use computer vision to monitor the health of your crops, using drone images to assess potential threats like insects or diseases. 

• Better decision-making: Using computer vision might provide you with better data to decide the best harvest time or post-harvest storage and retail needs. 

Entertainment

Computer vision is helping professionals in the entertainment industry create new forms of content and experiences that aren’t possible without this technology. Examples of computer vision applications in entertainment include: 

• Sports analysis: You might use computer vision technology to analyze sports footage, provide insights into player performance or game strategy, and even generate automated highlights for fans. 

• Event safety: As a professional in charge of providing public safety and security at sporting events or stadium concerts you can use computer vision to monitor the crowd for potential disruptions and to monitor traffic flow. 

Public safety and security

Both public safety officers and private citizens might also benefit from how computer vision helps strengthen public safety and security. Examples of public safety uses of computer vision include: 

• Identifying threats: Computer vision can identify potential threats, such as the faces of dangerous individuals, to give public safety officers the information they need to respond proactively to threats.

• Search and rescue: Search and rescue professionals can use robot vision to look for survivors after a natural disaster or other event that changes the landscape in unpredictable ways. 

City planning

Computer vision can also aid urban planners and other city officials. Explore the following computer vision use cases: 

• Sewer maintenance: Computer vision might help you monitor sewers for leaks and other faulty equipment. 

• Collecting data: As a city planner you can use street-view images as a non-invasive way to gather data about your community. 

• Increase public participation: Computer vision can help communities foster more public participation in projects and proposals. For example, you might use virtual reality to engage with the community. 

Retail and e-commerce

Computer vision can enhance e-commerce experiences and make shopping easier and more intuitive for consumers. Examples of computer vision uses in retail and e-commerce include: 

• Automated checkout: Computer vision could power automated shopping carts that allow you to add items to a cart while cameras or other sensors automatically track how much you’ll owe. Retailers can then charge the card on file for the items you leave the store with. 

• Inventory management: In the retail industry, you might use computer vision to track the items on your store's shelves or to monitor customer behavior to optimize merchandising and operational efficiency. 

Explore computer vision on Coursera

Computer vision applications in industries like self-driving vehicles, manufacturing, agriculture, entertainment, city planning, and more reshape how computers and machines interact with the world. Explore an online course on Coursera to learn more about computer vision applications and technology. For example, you might consider the First Principles of Computer Vision Specialization by Columbia University, or TensorFlow: Advanced Techniques Specialization offered by Deep Learning.AI.