In the day-to-day operations of a company, we encounter multiple challenges that require efficient and quick solutions. Imagine being the manager of a food production chain, where ensuring the quality and safety of products is a constant priority. However, we face problems such as detecting glass fragments or biological contaminants on the production line, which can compromise the brand’s reputation and customer satisfaction.
Computer vision, a technology once considered futuristic, presents itself as a comprehensive solution to optimise our processes and solve the challenges we face in the company. Computer vision is not just another technology, but an opportunity that everyone from CEOs to technicians can embrace to multiply business productivity and generate new opportunities.
In this article, I’ll explain why it’s so important to adopt computer vision (CV) in your processes. And I’ll reveal 3 success stories of Spanish companies that have found innovative solutions to detect objects, automate tasks, reduce costs and optimise processes using computer vision. We’ll explore the real potential of this technology and understand how it works, in case you want to consider it for your company.
What does computer vision mean?
Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence that gives machines the ability to see and understand the environment. Through mathematical and algorithmic techniques, this technology analyses images and videos, extracting valuable information to make automatic decisions.
What problems does computer vision solve?
Computer vision is extremely important because it can address a wide range of problems in different business sectors. Here I detail some of its most prominent applications:
Object Recognition: Did you know it can identify and classify items in images or videos? Using advanced image analysis algorithms, computer vision can detect and categorise objects in visual data. This is particularly useful in applications such as quality inspection in manufacturing, anomaly detection in products, supply chain monitoring, and the identification of accidents or thefts.
Face Detection: By employing facial recognition techniques, computer vision can identify and locate faces in images or videos. This is widely used in security systems, personal identification, and customer emotion analysis.
Image Segmentation: Computer vision enables the division of images into different regions, helping to separate objects from the background, detect contours, and make precise measurements. This is applied in fields such as medicine, precision agriculture, and the identification of areas of interest in satellite imagery.
Pattern Recognition: Using machine learning algorithms, computer vision can identify complex patterns in images or videos. This is essential for fraud detection, signature verification, and object identification in industrial environments.
Motion Estimation: By analysing image sequences, computer vision can estimate object movement in real time. This is crucial for applications such as autonomous vehicle navigation, people tracking, and workplace equipment monitoring.
3D Reconstruction: Computer vision can generate highly accurate three-dimensional models from images or videos. This is widely used in fields such as architecture, the entertainment industry, and industrial process simulation.
Benefits of Computer Vision for Businesses
Technology is the key to unlocking opportunities for improvement in business processes. Computer vision has become an invaluable tool for companies of all sizes and industries. Here, I’ll explain the benefits your business can gain by implementing computer vision.
Development of Innovative Products: Computer vision opens new business opportunities, allowing us to offer services, reach new customers, and take on new projects. By integrating vision capabilities into existing devices and systems, we optimise processes and free up “human hands,” enabling us to achieve more with the same resources.
Process Automation: Computer vision enables the automation of tasks that previously required human intervention, increasing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Enhanced Quality Control: Computer vision systems can identify defects and anomalies in products with greater accuracy and speed than manual inspection, ensuring product quality and reducing defective items.
Increased Productivity: By streamlining processes and minimising time spent on repetitive tasks, computer vision boosts employee productivity, allowing them to focus on higher-value activities.
Data-Driven Decision Making: The visual data collected and analysed by computer vision systems provides objective, real-time insights that support informed and strategic decision-making.
Reduction of Human Errors: By removing human intervention from certain processes, errors are minimised, and task execution becomes more precise.
Improved Safety: Computer vision systems can be used to monitor and detect risk situations, such as unauthorised intrusions or hazardous behaviours in industrial environments.
Personalisation and Customer Experience: Computer vision enables the analysis of customer behaviour and the customisation of shopping experiences, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving sales.
Inventory Optimisation: By leveraging computer vision for inventory tracking and management, businesses can optimise stock levels and reduce storage-related costs.
Fraud Detection and Security: Computer vision algorithms can identify unusual patterns in financial transactions or detect suspicious behaviour in security environments, helping to prevent fraud and enhance security.
Companies transforming with computer vision implementation
We believe it’s essential for you to understand the real business transformations driven by the implementation of computer vision across various industries. That’s why, in the seventh edition of our Lead & Inspire event, we invited artificial intelligence (AI) experts to share how they integrate computer vision into their daily operations and the impact it has within their organisations.
Here are some remarkable examples:
Telespazio: Detecting barnacles and mussels with computer vision
Telespazio is a leading company in the field of satellite services and Earth observation solutions, renowned for its extensive expertise in the design, development, and operation of satellite systems.
The company is transforming the shellfish industry in Galicia, Spain, through high-precision drone flights and high-resolution cameras. They have mapped key coastal areas where mussels are farmed, capturing detailed images that enable precise analysis of the marine environment.
Using artificial intelligence algorithms, Telespazio has developed a system capable of identifying barnacles and mussels with remarkable accuracy. Their approach not only aims to maximise production but also contributes to sustainability by providing valuable insights to support mussel farming growth.
Valoriza and smart waste management
Valoriza is a leading company in Spain in the field of urban maintenance and waste management. With extensive experience in the design, development, and execution of infrastructure projects, the company stands out for its innovative approach and commitment to efficiency and sustainability.
During our Lead & Inspire event, we had the opportunity to speak with David Redondo, Valoriza’s Digital Transformation Leader, who shared one of the company’s most significant challenges: waste collection.
In many urban areas, a persistent issue arose—people would leave rubbish outside the bins, leading to substantial fines for the company. Municipal inspectors would photograph these violations, and if the waste remained uncollected after a few hours, penalties were imposed. This cycle of fines represented a monthly cost of approximately €60,000 for the company.
To address this issue, Valoriza decided to implement advanced technologies. Since road maintenance is part of its services, the company leveraged its expertise in this area to develop an innovative solution.
They trained a neural network using images collected by the local council and installed high-tech cameras on their infrastructure maintenance vehicles.
These Jetson Nano cameras were designed to automatically detect waste left outside bins. When rubbish is identified, the maintenance service is immediately notified to proceed with its collection.
Graffiti detected: Valoriza takes swift action
As a company committed to urban infrastructure and city maintenance, Valoriza harnesses technology to tackle a new challenge: graffiti detection. As we know, once a surface is painted, it’s only a matter of time before the entire wall is covered.
To address this, a new application has been developed using Jetson Nano cameras. These cameras send real-time alerts to the responsible teams, enabling them to act swiftly by cleaning and repainting the surface before the graffiti spreads and becomes a larger issue.
This solution has proven highly effective in reducing urban graffiti. Thanks to rapid intervention, public spaces remain clean and safe, enhancing the quality of life for residents and preserving the aesthetic appeal of cities.
While we have highlighted a few examples, the full impact of this technology on businesses may still not be entirely clear. We invite you to explore our success story on the implementation of Computer Vision with Edge. There, you will discover how this technology has completely transformed operations, delivering tangible benefits and making a real impact on efficiency, quality, and profitability.
Reflection
As computer vision technology continues to evolve, it is essential for businesses to prepare for the future. The early and effective adoption of these tools can be the key differentiator between leading the market or falling behind. Today, it is crucial for companies and leaders to reflect on how they can leverage technology to stay competitive and adapt to an ever-changing world.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, we invite you to get in touch with us and explore how computer vision can transform your operations and enhance performance. Our team of technology experts is here to help you identify the best solutions tailored to your specific needs. From process optimisation to improved product quality and enhanced customer experience, computer vision offers a wide range of benefits for businesses of all kinds.
