TL;DR:
- Viso, a game-changer in computer vision, has garnered $9.2M in funding.
- The platform offers low/no-code solutions for custom computer vision models.
- Viso simplifies complex processes, streamlining data analysis, model training, deployment, and more.
- It aims to replace the need for hiring AI engineers and integrating disconnected tools.
- Viso supports a wide range of models, hardware, and use cases, ensuring customer ownership.
- Major companies like PwC, DHL, and Orange have already adopted Viso’s platform.
Main AI News:
In the rapidly evolving landscape of computer vision, Viso is poised to revolutionize the industry. The proliferation of computer vision across various sectors has been undeniable, but navigating the intricate processes of creating and managing these visual AI models remains a daunting task for many. Enter Viso, an innovative player in the field, which has just secured an impressive $9.2 million in funding to propel its mission.
While numerous computer vision models and services exist, a common challenge lies in their rigid nature, often resembling a one-size-fits-all approach. Suppose you seek to employ person recognition technology to assess whether individuals are standing or sitting, a critical aspect for determining the congestion levels at places like train stations or restaurants.
Sure, there are pre-established options for person and pose recognition, but they might not align with your specific requirements or security protocols. Furthermore, scaling up can be prohibitively expensive. Building a custom solution is an alternative, but it demands a level of expertise that is far from trivial. Unless your organization possesses the necessary time and financial resources to assemble a dedicated team, this route may seem unattainable.
Viso is here to bridge this gap. They offer a platform designed to empower enterprises to craft their computer vision models without the immense time and resource investment typically associated with such endeavors. Gaudenz Boesch, co-founder and co-CEO of Viso, elucidates, “Early in the adoption cycle, companies resort to buying or renting pre-made computer vision systems. However, they eventually need to bring all computer vision initiatives together, deeply integrate and customize them, and also ‘own’ them because the data is sensitive and the technology is of strategic value. This is why companies across those industries are starting to hire AI engineers.”
However, unlike many other enterprise-level needs, computer vision lacks a specialized infrastructure for efficient development and deployment. Companies often find themselves building it from scratch, cobbling together various disjointed software and hardware components across their organization, a process that quickly escalates in cost.
Viso’s approach bears a resemblance to the no-code tools used in other contexts. It comprises a set of modules, both pre-built and customizable, enabling users to select, train, and deploy computer vision models as needed. While some level of expertise remains necessary – such as choosing the right object recognition model and managing training data – Viso simplifies the process by consolidating it into one cohesive platform.
Viso asserts its platform is genuinely end-to-end, encompassing data acquisition, training processes, implementation, hosting, compliance work, and more. It’s a comprehensive solution that streamlines every aspect of computer vision development, from the initial data analysis to product integration, deployment, analytics, updates, backups, and security—all within the confines of Viso’s platform.
Imagine creating a “busy detector” with just a hundred hours of footage, emerging with a finished product in a mere week or two. This encompasses everything from raw data analysis and storage, annotation and labeling, model training and testing, to product integration, deployment options, analytics, updates, and security measures—achievable without ever leaving the Viso ecosystem.
While other computer vision platforms exist, Viso stands out by catering to highly complex computer vision applications at scale while ensuring customers maintain ownership of the end result. Unlike platforms that focus on specific tasks, Viso aims to support a wide array of models, methods, hardware, and use cases.
Viso’s commitment to simplifying the intricacies of computer vision has garnered significant support. The company recently secured $9.2 million in seed stage funding, with Accel leading the charge and several angel investors participating. Intriguingly, Viso had been bootstrapped since its inception in 2018 in Switzerland, demonstrating its significant market potential.
As demand for their services continues to skyrocket, Viso is well-positioned to reshape the future of computer vision. With endorsements from major players like Pricewaterhouse Cooper, DHL, and Orange and a sixfold increase in new customer growth since 2022, Viso’s innovative approach is making waves in the industry. Stay tuned for further developments as Viso charts a bold new course for the world of computer vision.
Conclusion:
Viso’s $9.2 million funding signifies a significant leap forward in the computer vision market. Their low/no-code platform addresses the complexity of building custom models, potentially reshaping the industry by enabling businesses to take control of their computer vision initiatives. With strong endorsements and substantial growth, Viso’s innovative approach is poised to disrupt and simplify the world of computer vision.
