Object detection and recognition is a critical area of research within artificial intelligence and specifically in computer vision. With object detection technology, machines identify objects present in an image or video. After an object is detected, it is demarcated by a bounding box, allowing the machine to track its location.
What is object detection?
Object detection is a computer vision technology utilized to locate instances of objects in images and videos. Humans can identify objects in images and videos of interest within seconds, and object detection is designed to replicate this intelligence in a machine. This technique uses machine learning and deep learning algorithms to derive the desired results.
How does object detection work?
When analyzing an object, a machine learning algorithm considers various factors such as color histogram and pixel identification, feeding this input data into a regression model. Deep learning algorithms then use neural networks to perform advanced tasks such as detecting and identifying objects. While machine learning requires defining the extraction and features of the detected objects, deep learning’s advanced algorithms do not need to define these aspects separately.
Aggregate channel features (ACF), SVM classification using histograms of oriented gradient (HOG) features, and the Viola-Jones algorithm for human face or upper body detection are some of the most commonly used machine learning techniques for object detection. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) like YOLO, R-CNN, and Fast R-CNN, are a few deep learning techniques that automatically learn to detect objects in images and videos.
Use cases and applications of object detection
The core of most vision-based AI software includes object detection and recognition and has applications in various industries such as security, transportation, and medicine. The advanced programs are often used to automate manual tasks and can be applied to multiple use cases to create new AI-powered services and products. Let’s check out a few of these applications:
Security and surveillance
Video surveillance systems can use this technology to identify people in restricted and dangerous areas, automated inspections in remote locations, facial recognition for secure entry to buildings, etc.
Retail
People counting systems are placed in various stores to collect data about the customer’s journey inside the store and footfall. Through applied AI, these systems can help improve the efficiency of operations by analyzing data such as customer interaction and customer experience. One of the most popular use cases is the detection of queue-time reduction.
Healthcare
For medical procedures like endoscopic surgery, advanced video recognition is required in low-light environments to ensure that the actions taken by surgeons are precise, given the risks inherent in performing such procedures. Extremely accurate object detection and recognition are imperative in such scenarios, including additional functionality such as tool usage monitoring and recommending the best course of action. Furthermore, object detection involving CT and MRI scans has become significantly beneficial in diagnosing diseases like cancer and brain tumors.
Autonomous vehicles
Self-driving cars rely on this technology to understand the real world. This technology helps identify pedestrians, other vehicles, and obstacles. For instance, Tesla's Autopilot AI uses the capability to detect obstacles and other threats in the environment.
Agriculture
In agriculture, object detection counts and measures plants, monitors growth, and analyzes the quality of the produce to determine its safety. The technology can also detect damaged crops by applying machine learning algorithms while they're in the processing stage.
Deep learning and machine learning researchers, from academics to government, to private industry, are increasingly focused on object detection as a technology that has broad applicability to detect and classify objects in various forms and data types.
Are you looking to take advantage of object detection and derive optimal insights? Intellect Data, Inc is engaged with clients from various industries like retail, transportation, healthcare, etc., in developing machine learning-based solutions using computer vision pipelines for object detection and recognition. Email us at intellect2@intellect2.ai. We are a software solutions company incorporating data science and artificial intelligence into modern digital products with Intellect2TM. IntellectDataTM develops and implements software, software components, and software as a service (SaaS) for enterprise, desktop, web, mobile, cloud, IoT, wearables, and AR/VR environments. Locate us on the web at www.intellect2.ai.