Abstract: Abstract: Developed from the engineering of computer vision theory, machine vision involves such technologies as optical imaging, visual information processing, artificial intelligence, and mechatronics. With the transformation and upgrading of China’s manufacturing industry and development of relevant research, the machine vision technology, with the advantages of high precision, real-time performance, high-level automation and intelligence, has become one of the most significant driving forces for enhancing the intelligence of robots, thus being widely applied in modern industrial, agricultural, and military fields. In order to provide some guidance for researchers and engineers, this paper summarized an abundance of literature on machine vision technology, of which the research, development, and application in the recent decade were analyzed. Firstly, the development and current situation of machine vision around the world was introduced. Secondly, explorations were made on the key components of machine vision system including lighting, optical lenses, and cameras, vision processing algorithms including image preprocessing, image visual position, and segmentation, and the mainstream industrial software of machine vision. Thirdly, four typical applications of machine vision technology were presented, including production defect detection, intelligent visual surveillance, autopilot and assisted driving, and medical imaging diagnosis. Finally, the current challenges faced by machine vision were analyzed, with the future trends of machine vision predicted. Thus, this paper will play an active role in the development and application promotion of machine vision science and technology.

Key words: Keywords: machine vision, imaging system, visual processing algorithms, vision softeware, challenges and development trends ,