Get ready to see more electronic products using computer vision technology. The Embedded Vision Alliance is pushing an industry-wide initiative that encourages engineers to add computer vision capabilities to electronic products currently under development or on the drawing board. So far, 15 leading technology and semiconductor companies are planning to incorporate computer vision in its electronic products made for the consumer market. Jeff Brier, president of Berkeley Design Technology, Inc., says consumers can expect to see some “phenomenal new products.” The technology is capable of providing:
- Electronics that are more intelligent and aware of their environments;
- Game consoles that can detect body movements and facial expressions and use them as an interface between the game and player;
- Automotive electrical components that prevent accidents;
- Remote control applications that make the need for physical remote controls for televisions, lighting, heating and air conditioning, and the like obsolete;
- Swimming pool safety systems that monitor anyone in the water;
- The ability to analyze immense libraries of video content from a home television to quickly find content of interest to the viewer.
Embedded Vision Technology Holds The Key
The advancement of practical embedded vision technology is the link to enhancing computer vision in electronics. Embedded vision technology combines computer vision and embedded systems technologies to enable machines to interpret their environment through visual means. Embedded systems are already in use in kitchen appliances, electronic devices and consumer electronics. Because of the adaptability of embedded systems technology and low-cost depth sensors, it now can be integrated easily into existing electronic products, rather than require new designs.
Computer Vision To Be The Next Wireless
Marketing and industry experts are expecting big things from computer vision electronic products. They are basing their expectations on the public’s positive response to products already on the market that utilize computer vision. Among them are Microsoft Kinect, which enables the Xbox 360 to “see” and for players to use the gaming system without hand-held controllers. According to Microsoft, eight million Kinect units were sold in the first two months the product hit the market, making it the fastest selling consumer electronic device in history.
Brier, who in addition to his role as president of Berkeley Design Technology helped organize the Embedded Vision Alliance, predicts the pairing of computer vision and embedded vision technologies will be to the electronics industry what wireless was to the computer and mobile industries. He pointed out that consumers will soon come to expect it in their electronics.