Automated visual inspection (AVI) is a set of techniques used to detect and classify defects in manufactured products. Modern visual inspection uses machine learning and deep learning algorithms to assist and improve quality assurance processes.

Custom defect detection must accurately determine the location of defects in a given image and classify the defect category. Generally, you can detect defects of different sizes using state-of-the-art supervised deep learning models such as the latest you only look once (YOLO) algorithms. Best performing models characterize and locate defects in real-time.

You can use anomaly detection deep learning methods to determine whether an image of a manufactured product is normal or anomalous. Additionally, you can produce precise and interpretable results using anomaly localization. This method enables you to create a visualization of the defects using an anomaly map.

The specific detection model you select to automate a visual inspection task depends on several factors. These factors include the amount of training data available for normal and anomalous samples, the number of anomaly classes to recognize, and the type of localization information required for understanding and monitoring predictions. For more information, see Getting Started with Anomaly Detection Using Deep Learning.

To perform automated visual inspection, download the Computer Vision Toolbox™ Automated Visual Inspection Library from the Add-On Explorer. For more information on downloading add-ons, see Get and Manage Add-Ons. Some functionality also requires Deep Learning Toolbox™.