Look outside the factory for replication potential

Many users of machine vision – myself included – think in terms of manufacturing applications of machine vision. Unfortunately though, there tends to be limited replication potential for these industrial systems. As a result, the development cost per system is high (perhaps we could name this the “Grey ratio”?)

However, some developers take a broader view, and are finding vision applications that can be copied many times. Back in December 2008 I covered a system marketed at golf clubs and driving ranges – the “Swing & See” – and now here’s another: the robot pharmacist . (This opens up as a pdf.)

These are both great applications, but the automated pharmacy strikes me as absolutely brilliant. This is a product positioned to benefit from aging populations in Japan and the western world, and someone deserves to make a great deal of money by spotting the opportunity.

By the way, I’d like to acknowledge Allied Vision Technology for sending me the newsletter that publicized this application. Use this link – newsletter – to read the whole publication, and be sure to check out the cameras on their web site.