A Functional Survey of AI-Based Vision Systems for Industrial Applications: Safety, Quality, and Productivity
Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision technologies have enabled practical applications in industrial environments where safety, quality, and productivity are critical. To support both researchers and practitioners, this survey categorizes AI-based vision systems by their functional objectives rather than algorithmic classification. Specifically, representative implementations are organized across key application areas including safety monitoring, product quality inspection, assembly line support, and worker productivity enhancement. Most of the surveyed studies are in the manufacturing and construction sectors, where real-world deployments have demonstrated measurable improvements. Unlike many previous reviews, this survey focuses on image-centric applications, using visually interpretable outputs such as photographs, video frames, and real-world examples to illustrate the on-site usability of AI vision systems. It also organizes prior work by functional roles and practical deployment considerations, rather than algorithm-centric evaluations, to provide practitioners with actionable insights for industrial adoption.