History

Computer vision is a relatively new science. Research from a variety of fields slowly evolved and formed into a new branch – Computer vision. Computer vision is intimately tied to:

Artificial Intelligence
A human cannot act without first using his senses to determine a course of action. In the case of vision, light that enters the eyes is then analyzed and interpreted by the brain. In the same way, the first step to advancement in Artificial Intelligence is to sense and make sense. Computer Vision is used to allow AI to identify and analyze a picture or components in a picture taken by sensory instruments. After identifying edges, objects, or patterns the AI can then act according to the stimulus given.

Physics
Computer vision is a tool used in physics to extend our understanding beyond things that we cannot physically see. For instance, radiation beyond the spectrum of visual light needs to be processed in a form that makes sense to human brains. Complex computer vision algorithms are used in the image formation process. For example, scientists can specify parameters that will show the gas helium in one color and the gas hydrogen in another color. Larger concentrations will result in higher saturation of color. This provides a visual way for scientists to analyze a cloud of gas and its composition.

Neurobiology and Optics
Computer vision was created by humans and consequently, is tied closely to the research of human vision. Some researchers believe that human vision is similar to an extremely complex version of computer vision. Human vision, like computer vision, is bound by rules – a whole lot of them. Though computer vision today is nowhere near the complexity of human vision, it's used to mimic and simulate the behavior of biological optics.

Military
Advances in the field of computer vision can lead to the advancement of military technologies. Imagine a world where computers monitor every inch of the sky 24/7 and 365 days a year. Computer systems identify an object in airspace as a missile and immediately trigger anti-missile systems. Also, imagine the world of super-suits where human vision and computer vision come together to form a new sense of vision never witnessed before. Obviously, computer vision is an exciting and rapidly expanding field which may lead to marvelous things.