What is Synthetic Data?

The key to unlocking the automation potential of Computer Vision

Synthetic Data unlocks the automation potential of Computer Vision for the masses.

Synthetic Data is a virtual recreation of real world data. It can be used to train Synthetic Computer Vision (SCV) models to detect real world objects.

In traditional Computer Vision (CV), the most widely used version of the technology, an algorithm is trained to detect real-world objects using hundreds and thousands of real images of those objects. Sourcing and preparing this high-quality training data is extremely costly and time-consuming. The data gathering process makes it infeasible to adapt and scale the benefits of traditional Computer Vision to the demands of the masses. It is, therefore, unrealistic for most companies to consider its use for domain-specific applications.

To put it simply, the automation potential of Computer Vision and image recognition technology will remain out of reach for the majority of companies until the data problem is solved. Synthetic Data is the solution.

Practically speaking, Synthetic Data encompasses rendered images and videos of a 3D, digital twin of a real world object and the virtual scenes that it is placed in. This data represents the attributes of the object as well as possible environments in which it may be found in real life. It is used to train Computer Vision models to detect that real world object in varied contexts.

Using Synthetic Data in this way, to train Computer Vision models, is democratising access to Computer Vision technology. It is enabling the widespread adoption and scale of CV technology for automation in ways that traditional CV with real data never could.

Synthetic Data not only benefits the initial stages of a CV workflow, it streamlines the entire CV process.

Using Synthetic Data in this way allows you to build an SCV solution that excels where conventional solutions are limited in many ways:

1. Adaptability: The virtual nature of Synthetic Data makes it easy to transfer datasets and models between domains and CV use cases.
2. Speed: A real-world deployment can be implemented in less than one week, saving you a ton of time and radically cutting costs.
3. Scale: Easy access to image recognition datasets for over 100,000 SKUs through Neurolabs’ ReShelf product.
4. Quality: Achieve 96% accuracy for SKU-level product recognition from day 1.

For retailers and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands, Synthetic Data enables the automation of visual-based processes such as Shelf Monitoring or Shelf Auditing in real-world retail environments using virtual versions of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).

The most innovative retail solution providers are already experiencing the benefits of using Synthetic Data by deploying Synthetic Computer Vision software like ReShelf by Neurolabs to automate supermarket operations.

Synthetic Data, in the form of 3D digital twins of supermarket products and their environments, helps retailers and CPG brands automate visual-based in-store processes such as Shelf Monitoring and Shelf Auditing.

Written by Luke Hallinan, Product Marketing Manager at Neurolabs.

Retailers worldwide lose a mind-blowing $634 Billion annually due to the cost of poor inventory management with 5% of all sales lost due to Out-Of-Stocks alone. 🤯

Neurolabs helps optimise in-store retail execution for supermarkets and CPG brands using a powerful combination of Computer Vision and Synthetic Data, called Synthetic Computer Vision, improving customer experience and increasing revenue. 🤖 🛒