Machines that see

Vision-based data acquisition and processing systems may be able to save many thousands of lives by reducing the number and severity of collisions. Over the past decade, the auto industry has been developing devices that provide drivers with a second pair of "electronic eyes," also known as computer vision. Intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications for vehicle safety that depend on computer vision include infrastructure-based applications, such as ramp control and intersection collision warning; vehicle-based applications such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent parking assist systems; and other applications including pavement condition and drowsy driver warning systems. Ultimately, using computer vision systems to visually digitize the physical world could have a tremendous impact on transportation, as it may be used as an instrument to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of the transportation system.