Computer vision, or machine vision, is an important business trend that will transform many industries and many business processes. Here we look at three not so obvious examples to showcase that it is important for any industry.

1. 3 (Not So Obvious) Industries
That Could Be Transformed
By Computer Vision

2. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
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IntroductionIntroduction
Computer vision technology (also known as machine vision) allows machines to visually
interpret the world around them. As a form of artificial intelligence, computer vision is
essentially all about analyzing and learning from data – it’s just that the data being
processed is visual, rather than, say, numerical or textual. Typically, this visual data is in
the form of photos or videos, but it can also include data from thermal and infrared
cameras.
3 (Not So Obvious) Industries That Could
Be Transformed By Computer Vision

3. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Title
Text
IntroductionIntroduction
With facial recognition being a prime example, the most commonly cited use cases for
computer vision tend to be in the fields of security and law enforcement. However, in
this article, I want to showcase some of the less obvious uses for computer vision. In
particular, the following three industries could benefit hugely from this technology trend.
3 (Not So Obvious) Industries That Could
Be Transformed By Computer Vision

4. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Farming
Computer vision has a range of uses in farming, including detecting weeds, diseases and
pests, analyzing the land, spotting water leaks, tracking animals, and sorting and
categorizing produce when picked. All of this can help to reduce costs for farmers, while
maximizing efficiency and increasing yields.
In one example, computer vision and machine learning are being used to detect the
ripeness of papayas. A team of researchers from the University of Campinas and Londrina
State University in Brazil has been developing computer vision software that can detect
the ripeness of fruit based on images – with an accuracy rate of 94.7 percent. The idea is
to help Brazilian papaya growers maximize the value of their fruit, by selecting less ripe
fruit for export and reserving the ripest fruit for sale locally. The researchers also hope to
develop a consumer app that would help shoppers buy the right fruit according to how
soon they want to eat it.

5. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Farming
Elsewhere, Blue River Technology’s See & Spray system uses computer vision to identify
which plants are crops and which are weeds, so that individual weeds can be sprayed with
herbicides while healthy crops are left untouched. The system reportedly leads to a
reduction in herbicide use of 90 percent. Agricultural giant John Deere was so impressed
with the system, it ended up acquiring Blue River Technology.

6. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Healthcare
If you think about it, the healthcare industry is particularly rich in visual data, with CT
scans, X-rays, and so on. Computer vision allows machines to analyze this visual data and
identify abnormalities or disease. This can significantly reduce the amount of time spent
on analyzing images, thereby relieving some of the strain on doctors and enabling them
to spend more time with their patients.
A range of AI-based computer vision tools are being developed specifically for the
healthcare sector. One example comes from tech startup MaxQ AI, which has developed
software that detects brain bleeds in CT scan images. The detection software, named
Accipio Ix, has been approved for use by the FDA, and MaxQ AI has also announced
partnerships with Samsung, IBM Watson, and GE Healthcare.

7. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Healthcare
Microsoft is getting in on the act, too, with its InnerEye software, which is designed to
identify possible tumors and other abnormalities in X-ray images. Radiologists can upload
patient scans; then, the software identifies areas where it believes there are tumors. The
radiologist can then focus their attention on scans where problems have been flagged up,
rather than healthy scans.

8. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Retail
Even setting aside the obvious security applications, there are many potential uses for
computer vision in retail. Amazon, for example, has made heavy use of the technology in
its small chain of Amazon Go grocery and convenience stores. Thanks to computer vision,
Amazon has been able to eliminate the physical checkout process altogether. Once the
customer has scanned themselves in at the store entrance (using the Amazon app), they
can simply wander around, pick up the items they want, and then leave – without having
to queue and pay. Cameras track what the customer selects, and then the cost of items is
automatically charged to the customer's Amazon account.
Computer vision (specifically facial recognition) technology can also be used to identify
individual customers in order to give them personalized recommendations and rewards.
Upmarket candy retailer Lolli & Pops has been experimenting with such a facial
recognition-driven customer loyalty scheme. Customers who opt-in are recognized when
they enter the store, meaning sales associates can then give personalized
recommendations based on what the system knows about the customer’s preferences
(and any allergies).

9. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Retail
As computer vision technology is becoming increasingly cheaper and easier to deploy, it’s
no wonder the entire market for computer vision is predicted to reach $14 billion by 2024
(up from $9.9 billion in 2019). We can, therefore, expect to see greater use of computer
vision across an even wider selection of industries in the very near future.
Computer vision is just one of 25 technology trends that I believe will transform our
society. Read more about these key trends – including plenty of real-world examples – in
my new book, Tech Trends in Practice: The 25 Technologies That Are Driving The 4th
Industrial Revolution.

10. © 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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