The pioneer of computer vision is widely considered to be Larry Roberts, whose work in the 1960s laid the foundation for the field. Roberts, often called the “father of computer vision,” focused on enabling machines to interpret visual data by analyzing 2D images to reconstruct 3D scenes. His 1963 PhD thesis at MIT, titled “Machine Perception of Three-Dimensional Solids,” demonstrated how algorithms could identify edges, corners, and surfaces in images of simple block shapes. This was groundbreaking because it shifted the focus from hardware (like cameras) to software-based interpretation of visual data, establishing core principles still used today.
Roberts’ early work introduced concepts like edge detection and feature extraction, which remain fundamental to computer vision. For example, his algorithms used gradient calculations to identify edges in images, a technique that evolved into methods like the Sobel operator and Canny edge detector. His experiments with block-world scenes also inspired later research in object recognition and scene understanding. While Roberts’ systems were limited to controlled environments with basic shapes, they proved that machines could parse visual information algorithmically. This opened the door to practical applications, such as medical imaging and robotics, where interpreting structured visual data was critical.
The impact of Roberts’ work became clearer as the field expanded. In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers like David Marr and Takeo Kanade built on his ideas to tackle more complex problems, such as motion analysis and facial recognition. Modern frameworks like OpenCV and deep learning models (e.g., CNNs) rely on the same foundational principles Roberts explored—processing pixel data to extract meaningful patterns. For developers, understanding this lineage helps contextualize tools like convolutional layers or Hough transforms, which automate tasks Roberts once approached with simpler math. His contributions underscore that even basic algorithmic insights can drive decades of innovation in fields like AI and automation.