A team from the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre has
recently completed a trial of computer-based machine vision
technology which could lead to significant changes in industries
that depend on visual inspections during the production
process.
The IMV (integrated machine vision) technology trial was carried
out at one of Spain's largest cork producers in Barcelona. It was
one of 23 pilot projects aimed at different applications and
industry sectors.
The trial followed two years of research into how computer vision
could be used to recognise patterns in the cork. More than 40
"learning algorithms" were established so that the machine could
learn by experience as it worked.
Until now, the process of inspecting cork was completely manual and
dependent on individual skill, but using IMV technology it can be
automated.
Wider applications of automatic inspection, measurement and control
technology are now being considered by the researchers, with more
than 70 companies from all over Europe involved, across the
electronics, papermaking, food, textiles and timber industries.