The factory of the future

The modern world is undergoing a profound transformation driven by advanced technologies, and industry is one of the sectors adopting innovation most actively. One of the key areas of progress is the implementation of machine vision systems, which make it possible to automate process control at virtually any production facility.

In this article, we take a closer look at how these systems work, what tasks they help solve, and what value they can bring to business owners.

The core principle behind machine vision

Machine vision is an AI-powered algorithmic system that recognizes and interprets photo and video images from the external environment. This makes it possible to automate many business processes and fully eliminate human involvement in them.

Most often, machine vision is used in industry — and there are several reasons for this:

The system can accurately and consistently perform complex calculations at the highest possible speed.

It is highly versatile: it can not only monitor product movement and quality, but also control workplace safety and help prevent emergency situations.

Machine vision operates around the clock and monitors indicators in real time.

For machine vision to work effectively, specialized equipment is required for video capture and computing.

This is the core component responsible for obtaining high-resolution digital images. A company can use cameras already installed at the facility or deploy a specialized video surveillance network for analytics tasks.

Surveillance cameras

These include servers with powerful processors and graphics cards. These components are required to receive and process images, as well as perform analysis.

Computing resources

Thanks to the use of AI, machine vision delivers high processing speed and highly accurate results, while completely eliminating the human factor.

2. Analyzing images or video to detect key parameters for selected production processes.

3. Making a decision based on the processed information.

4. Generating and sending a report to the responsible person through external systems or analytics services.

1. Monitoring the object and capturing images using cameras.

The machine vision process includes four stages

In addition, in industrial environments, the technology makes it possible to automate production processes — for example, by detecting defects and preventing potential emergency situations. All of this minimizes risks and financial losses for large, medium-sized, and even small businesses.

Machine vision systems can detect objects and actions with accuracy ranging from 80% to 99%

Monitoring and object identification

Thanks to its versatility, a machine vision system can be used across a wide range of manufacturing tasks. In particular, there are five key ways this technology can be applied.

Used in any industry: from waste recycling to oil and gas.

Five key areas for automating control

Detects objects on conveyor belts, in production areas, warehouses, or open outdoor spaces.

Computer vision helps evaluate employee performance and minimize operational errors. For example, at a waste processing facility, the system can distinguish recyclable materials from general waste and verify whether workers are sorting them correctly.

Classifies them, detects foreign objects, and triggers an alert or other predefined actions.

It reduces the cost of monitoring operators, since the system does not require constant supervision.

Reduces the number of defective products, lowers costs, and decreases the need for quality control staff and product inspectors.

For example, in metallurgy and other industries, machine vision inspects ore moving along a conveyor belt. Once the material has been classified, the system sends a signal to the mills, which then automatically adjust to the specific raw material. Defect detection is also in high demand. By identifying low-quality elements on the production line in time, businesses can minimize the risks of recalling an entire batch or damaging expensive equipment.

In this area, machine vision is becoming an indispensable technology, as it enables comprehensive management of both raw materials and finished products.

Product quality control

Detects any deviations from predefined standards and determines whether they are acceptable, for example in the production of molds or parts.

Detects defects that may compromise raw materials, such as cracks, stains, foreign inclusions, and leaking seals

Warns of potential workplace hazards and sends alerts to the control center

Replaces several employees, such as occupational safety inspectors and emergency response officers

Since manufacturing involves numerous health risks, implementing machine vision makes it possible to identify hazardous situations in time and notify responsible employees.

For example, in the mining industry, key processes include safety monitoring and equipment condition control. Unlike a person, who may overlook a minor safety violation, a machine vision system can detect even an unfastened button on protective clothing and alert the responsible specialist.

It can also monitor the performance and condition of equipment, as well as employee behavior and well-being. The latter is especially important in environments with high physical strain or when working with complex machinery. As a result, machine vision helps reduce workplace injuries and improve working conditions at the enterprise.

Industrial safety management

Ensures compliance with regulations and safety procedures

Monitors the use of personal protective equipment

Machine vision can also be used to ensure uninterrupted equipment operation.

For example, if a camera is installed above a conveyor, it can assess the condition of the belt and its individual components, identifying which ones require replacement or repair. This helps companies minimize downtime and avoid major costs if a failure becomes critical.

Equipment monitoring

Monitors the use of personal protective equipment

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Ensures compliance with regulations and safety procedures

Warns of potential workplace hazards and sends alerts to the control center

Takes over the functions of several employees, such as an occupational safety inspector and an emergency response officer

This area is often used alongside the applications listed above: the system monitors compliance with company regulations and oversees the overall workflow.

For example, at some mining enterprises, it is prohibited to cover loaded truck beds with a tarp before they pass exit inspection. Machine vision can monitor compliance with this rule and report drivers who violate it.

Performance monitoring

Monitors employee work, such as adherence to schedules.

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Analyzes labor productivity by tracking the accuracy and speed of operations, as well as compliance with safety procedures

Detects downtime, incorrect actions, and non-operational equipment

Identifies theft, records employee actions, and verifies their identity

in machine vision

Our company specializes in developing high-tech automated systems for optimizing production processes and offers adaptive solutions for tasks of any complexity.

Our machine vision technology works according to the same principle described above: it requires cameras, computing resources, and software.

At the same time, the technical setup of the production facility does not matter to us. Industrial IP cameras, LiDAR, thermal imaging cameras, scanning devices, and other equipment can be connected to the system. L–Labs’ solution can operate using various types of hardware. The main requirements apply to the computing equipment, as it must have sufficient power to support our software.

However, if the production facility does not have video surveillance or its own server, we will select the optimal equipment for different budgets and handle the installation. The system can also operate using our own cloud resources or the client’s server in a data center.

True Detection developments

Since 2020, our company has successfully implemented innovative machine vision systems at industrial facilities across Russia. Our solutions can be used in industries such as waste processing, mining, metallurgy, and oil and gas.

In addition, L–Labs machine vision systems can be applied in urban environments: they can recognize faces and vehicle license plates, detect pollution in parks and other public areas, and monitor access control points.

To deliver high-quality solutions, data on detected violations, and performance analysis, we offer a wide range of options:

Integration with (APCS)

Equipment control

Incident logs

Notifications to personal devices

Scenario-based big data analysis

Performance reporting

Analytics services

Process automation

In addition, we use machine learning methods that allow machine vision to continuously improve by learning from real visual data. This makes it easy to further train our technology by adding new information to the library. For example, this may be needed if changes at your enterprise introduce new objects, regulations, or processes that require visual control. This makes L–Labs machine vision a universal long-term solution.

Our system

Our team

The advantages of True Detection machine vision make us competitive in the field of modern technology.

across different industries

One of the key advantages of our solution is its flexibility, which allows machine vision to be adapted to the individual needs of each business.

Capabilities of automated systems

Our system makes it possible to track the movement of municipal solid waste on the conveyor belt, evaluate employee performance and equipment condition, and analyze the concentration of valuable recyclable materials in the waste stream. With this information, enterprises can strategically expand their capabilities and reach a new level of profitability.

True Detection offers a comprehensive solution for recognizing and analyzing objects on a conveyor, as well as a management service that helps executives control and optimize the sorting line.

Waste sorting is an environmentally responsible and promising industry, but it can also be harmful to the health of sorting personnel. To minimize risks and improve efficiency, some enterprises are switching to automated systems.

Waste sorting facilities

Our expertise enables us to implement a wide range of computer vision solutions, including:

True Detection solutions provide reliable process management throughout every stage of a complex production chain, even in remote open-pit mining operations far from urban infrastructure.

Mining companies increasingly rely on modern technologies to improve safety and enhance operational efficiency. L–Labs offers a comprehensive suite of intelligent systems designed to maximize automation across mining operations.

Coal mining and mining industry

Our system enables enterprises to:

For example, computer vision can be used at gold mining enterprises to analyze production processes such as flotation concentration, electrolysis bath operations, or dump truck unloading.

L–Labs technology integrates into existing infrastructure and provides access to accurate real-time data to improve efficiency and safety. This makes it an essential tool for the modernization and comprehensive development of the industry.

Key priorities in this sector include evaluating the efficiency of production processes at every stage, from ore extraction to the release of finished products, as well as monitoring compliance with safety regulations, production volumes, and other operational processes.

Metallurgical industry

L–Labs technology can be applied across dozens of areas in oil and gas production, including:

For example, computer vision can be used at gold mining enterprises to analyze production processes such as flotation concentration, electrolysis bath operations, or dump truck unloading.

L–Labs technology integrates into existing infrastructure and provides access to accurate real-time data to improve efficiency and safety. This makes it an essential tool for the modernization and comprehensive development of the industry.

Key priorities in this sector include evaluating the efficiency of production processes at every stage, from extraction to the release of finished products, as well as monitoring compliance with safety regulations, production volumes, and other operational processes.

Oil and gas industry

Selecting a specific process for visual monitoring. In other words, defining exactly what needs to be automated using computer vision.

Selecting the appropriate computer vision system. This involves determining the type and number of cameras, as well as assessing the computing resources and backend required for the system to operate.

Coordinating the software and hardware components of the system. Developing a roadmap for installing and configuring the computer vision system.

Installing the computer vision system on the server. Configuring video transmission from cameras, training neural networks to detect specific types of recyclable materials, and setting up the feedback system and data storage services.

Testing the system. After integration, the computer vision system must be evaluated and any potential issues must be resolved.

Monitoring and support. After implementation, it is necessary to track performance indicators, carry out technical and software maintenance, and additionally train the computer vision system when needed.

Implementing computer vision into operational workflows. This stage also includes training the employees who will use the system.

Integrating computer vision with the company’s other systems. This stage also includes process configuration and debugging.

Auditing the production facility. This includes assessing the level of technical equipment and automation, and analyzing power grids, internal information systems, internet-connected devices, and network connections.

Purchasing and installing equipment. This stage may be excluded if the software is deployed on the customer’s own servers and visual monitoring is carried out using existing cameras.

Defining the integration goals and system implementation requirements. These include the types and volume of data, processing speed, input signal types, and feedback format.

The integration of True Detection technology includes 11 stages:

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We will prepare a solution for your production facility within a short timeframe

The preparation and system integration process takes from one to three months

We provide one year of warranty service

During this period, our specialists will resolve any technical issues free of charge.

We will prepare a solution for your production facility within a short timeframe.

The preparation and system integration process takes from one to three months.

Our guarantees

Computer vision is a universal technology that can be used in any industrial sector. It helps not only improve the efficiency of employees and the company as a whole, but also reduce costs and adapt to modern market conditions, where accuracy, speed, and safety are becoming top priorities.

At the same time, there is no need to fully re-equip production facilities or purchase expensive computing hardware. We offer flexible deployment options using both the customer’s existing equipment and our cloud services.

Our technology has been used for several years at enterprises in different regions of Russia. The system is applied to automate sorting, assess product quality, increase the productivity of workers and machines, and improve workplace safety.

Our solutions are designed for waste management facilities, the metallurgical, mining, and oil and gas industries, as well as capital construction sites and other sectors.

For each customer, we offer a ready-made solution based on a detailed analysis of all production processes. If changes occur, for example due to the introduction of new regulations, the computer vision system can be additionally trained within a short timeframe.

Learn more about True Detection products on our website and submit a request for a demo presentation. Our manager will explain the system’s capabilities in detail specifically for your case and show how it is already being used at other production facilities.