How Can Computer Vision Improve Manufacturing?

Manufacturing has always been a great frontier for human civilization. Since the dawn of time, we have been creating tools to make work easier. From rudimentary axes to windmills and the steam engine, our inventions have allowed us to produce more while doing less. With every industrial revolution, we are shown infinite possibilities for the future.

Industry 4.0

We are now in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, otherwise known as Industry 4.0. This era of smart manufacturing is characterized by the use of data and automation to improve manufacturing processes and produce goods more efficiently across the value chain.

Industry 4.0 is rapidly changing the way that manufacturers create and distribute their products. Instead of mass production, the focus is now on mass customization, where companies can meet the varying demands of their customers with more flexibility and agility than before.

New technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics are integrated into manufacturing operations across the entire production chain to allow for better information transparency and timely decision making.

The increased optimization and automation of Industry 4.0 has allowed manufacturers to achieve a new level of efficiency and responsiveness that was not possible in the past. From discrete manufacturing to the mining sector, Industry 4.0 technologies are making a world of difference.

Electric Eye

AI is a large factor of Industry 4.0. Computer vision is a type of AI where computer systems scan digital data—like images or videos—to gather meaningful information. The computer system then analyzes this information and performs or recommends certain actions.

Computer vision utilizes a massive pool of data to train machines to discern between the expected and unexpected qualities of any given item. Instead of being programmed to recognize images, AI uses algorithmic models to enable the machine to learn through the process of examining data.

However, funding a computer vision lab takes an immense amount of resources. Aside from the extraordinary computing power required to run the huge visual data sets, organizations need to create deep learning models and neural networks that will enable computers to learn.

Nonetheless, backed by the biggest names in technology and R&D, machine vision is now used in a myriad of industries from manufacturing inspections to self-driving cars and Google Lens. As research continues into the applications of this technology, it is expected to reach a market size of $48.6 billion in 2022.

Power Automation

There are numerous benefits to integrating computer vision into a manufacturing system. Not only can a fully-automated system operate much faster than a human and analyze thousands of items per minute, but it can also work every hour of the day, every day of the year.

Computers are not prone to contagious diseases. Hence, companies can maintain safe distancing and protect their existing employees in the post-pandemic era. Computers do not get bored either. So, they can perform repetitive monotonous tasks that would otherwise drive a human mad.

Operational health and safety standards are a concern for all businesses. It is estimated that a worker gets injured on the job every seven seconds. Computer vision systems take workers off the dangerous manufacturing floor and avoid unnecessary accidents.

Other than reducing labor costs and staffing headaches, computer vision solutions improve manufacturing outcomes exponentially. Products created are better in quality, defects are identified quickly, and there is less waste involved in the manufacturing process. Customers are satisfied with their products, and businesses enjoy higher profits.

Absolute Accuracy

The main advantage of computer vision is the superior level of accuracy that cannot be matched by manual processes. Advanced computer vision algorithms and equipment can be combined to achieve near-perfect accuracy in manufacturing and quality control.

On assembly lines, computer vision solutions can use 3D imaging capabilities to inspect products. Defects on small, assembled items or tiny components such as microchips or electronic connectors can be easily and precisely identified by multiple-camera 3D computer vision.

Certain products need to be packaged with specific quantities while others to exact measurements. In addition, imperfect packaging can result in a product recall. Computer vision can maintain packaging standards to ensure the uniform appearance and safety of finished products.

In addition to monitoring products, computer vision can be used to observe the manufacturing equipment itself. By identifying corrosion, degradation, decreased range of motion, and more, computer vision systems can recommend signal the need for maintenance before manufacturing lines fail.

Our fourth industrial revolution is all about using intelligent machines to observe and communicate. Artificial intelligence is developing every minute and AI-driven systems will soon be front and center of our production lines and supply chains.

Computer vision is just one facet of the power of smart manufacturing. As industries learn to leverage technology, our factories and products will become safer for production workers and consumers respectively. Companies can look forward to a manufacturing process that is more refined, more efficient, and more accurate.

Language Learning Trends in 2021

There are numerous reasons as to why you might want to learn a new language. It could be because you need it to graduate from a school or as a way to enhance your resume for a job. You could want to learn a new language so that you can visit another country or communicate with friends and family members who are from other countries. If you’re in school learning a new language, you might notice that there are a few new techniques that are being used in order to make the process as easy as possible for all ages. The language industry could take off in a significant way in the near future, which means that it’s important for more people to at least get a few basics of another language behind them. With this growth, there are a few trends in 2021 that are entering the scene. There are some trends that might not be needed in the future or used, and there are some that could make a significant impact on how languages are learned whether it’s in an elementary school or in the workforce.

The Environment

Another language learning trend to look at in 2021 is the overall environment where the language is learned. Teachers will likely begin learning about new ways to reach students and to ensure that they are learning the language with ease while making sure that students are comfortable with the language as well. Various projects are available to teachers so that they have the tools needed to help students of all ages and stages in their education.

A way that teachers can help students is by paying attention to their behavior in the classroom and talking to them about getting the sleep that they need at home and taking care of their mental health as well as their physical health in order to make learning easier. Online language lessons can work better for you, where you can learn at your own pace and from home. Being a university student will help you get a discounted package on some platforms.

Technology

There is an abundance of new technology that can now be used to learn new languages and that will likely be used in the future. If you’re unsure of how to get started learning a new language, then consider an online language tutor who can demonstrate how to pronounce words and how to put words together so that you can begin speaking the language to other people.

Virtual reality is a new technology option to consider as well. There are apps available that can allow you to visit other areas or visit a classroom to learn a language without leaving home. This is one of the trends that could reach beyond 2021 as it brings you closer to a variety of sources with little interference. You’ll also be able to change the setting with virtual reality so that you don’t learn in the same environment or in the same manner with each course that you take.

A similar idea to virtual reality is augmented reality. This is a concept that allows you to feel like you’re in another world in a digital aspect. You’ll be able to utilize numerous images so that it feels as though you’re in an area where the language is used, which can sometimes make it easier to learn a new language. This is an option to consider if you like mobile devices but don’t want to have a device on your person as you would with a virtual reality set.

Using Tasks

Sometimes, focusing on tasks that are related to a subject can help you learn better and faster. Throughout 2021 and the coming years, some of the tasks associated with learning a language could change so that students have more control instead of the teacher. They might be asked to design an app that correlates to the language that they’re learning or participate in an escape room where the language that’s being learned is used with the puzzles that need to be solved. When you see that learning a new language can be fun and that it can be a part of almost any aspect of life, then it can often result in retaining the information that is learned instead of simply memorizing details to pass a test or a class.

Trans-languaging

This is a simple concept that has been used in classrooms for years. It involves learning a language just as you would any other educational course. You can use books and other materials to learn the basics of the language before putting the details together to try to speak with someone or communicate in other ways. You might be asked to write a paper in the language that you’re learning or explain various details about grammar so that you’re really learning each aspect of the language.

Reading And Stories

Sometimes, it’s easier to simply jump right in and start reading another language. You can read stories online so that you can see how the words are spelled and how they are used in sentences. If you’re not comfortable reading, then you could listen to someone tell a story so that you hear how words are pronounced and how they’re used.