It’s no secret that artificial intelligence, or AI, is rapidly integrating into every aspect of our lives. What might be lesser known, though, is that AI is much more than just a chatbot you use to help you write emails. AI has actually been present in many manufacturing industries for years as it helps speed up processes, increase efficiency, and cut labor costs. The way it does this is through powerful, innovative, and thoroughly-researched technologies designed by experienced engineers aiming to create a tailored solution to common challenges manufacturers face daily.
One such technology that utilizes AI is machine vision, which is used in factory automation applications to obtain, track, and store data on moving items, materials, and products. Simple Vision Technology, founded by Mark Berndt, specializes in this technology, having created an easy-to-use image-capturing and processing software that functions on a single interface for a simple yet innovative vision platform. This software utilizes AI, as well as traditional vision and barcoding reading, to greatly enhance its capabilities and become more accurate in reading and processing images, allowing manufacturers to significantly reduce necessary hardware and centralize control and processing.
Among these three technologies, barcode reading reveals itself to be simple in practice: a camera or scanner reads a barcode and interprets information contained within that barcode. Traditional vision systems, then, are a bit more complicated as users must create and apply rules to an image: these rules are fixed and based on pixel level. They provide a pass/fail to the images detected, analyzing whether or not the object matches a rule.
Taking vision detection and analysis a step further, though, brings us to AI technology. AI in SVT’s software is best used when there isn’t a rule that can be applied. For example, AI can be used to detect cracks, scratches, or dents in a large sheet of metal. It would be difficult to apply all the rules necessary to detect these imperfections, but with AI, users can take a single image and classify detection based on an AI model that has been trained to the customer’s specific objects. This detection is not an exact yes/no, but rather the AI provides a percentage, or probability, with some level of certainty and success, signaling, for example, that it might be 70% sure it’s detecting a scratch on the metal sheet. From that point of detection, the operator or an SME can get involved and confirm if the AI detection is correct, further training the AI model to better identify imperfections.
The use of AI in vision technology aims to improve detection and the efficiency and speed of items requiring data analysis, interpretation, and tracking. SVT provides software that achieves these benefits by combining traditional vision, barcode reading, and innovative AI in a single-user interface and processor, revolutionizing vision technology in industrial industries like fast-moving consumer goods and warehouse automation.
To learn more about this innovative technology, visit Simple Vision Technology or contact an Evolution Motion Solutions sales engineer at info@evolutionmotion.com or 800-568-9800.
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