Smartphone image analysis: R&D co-financed by the European Union

The goal of this project is to conduct research on image recognition technology with a system that analyses the image of an object captured digitally using a smartphone. The technology will enable rapid recommendations of products similar to the photographed item, found in existing databases and websites. For practical reasons, the analysis system should:

• offer recognition accuracy high enough to meet the expectations of the average user
• operate quickly enough to be comfortable to use, with response times in the order of one second
• run a critical part of its functionality on the user's phone, avoiding sending the image to other services or systems wherever possible

The project gives Snowdog Sp. z o.o. a significant competitive advantage, letting us offer business clients (for example, owners of online portals in selected product categories) solutions that are unique on a global scale. For end users, it provides a convenient, easy-to-use way to search for products they're interested in.

Project goals

The main goal is to increase the research activity of Snowdog Sp. z o.o. in order to develop an innovative technology for analysing images captured with a smartphone, and to bring mobile applications using that technology to market. This is part of the regional smart specialisations of Wielkopolska.

Specific objectives

• Carry out research (industrial research and development work) aimed at developing image analysis technology.
• Complement the interdisciplinary research team.
• Develop the company's research activity, gain new market segments, and meet the identified market niche and the needs of target customers and users.
• Develop technology and concepts for an innovative product group of mobile applications that use image analysis and recommendation technology.

Impact of the project

• Increase in employment at Snowdog Sp. z o.o.
• Introduction of product innovations
• Introduction of process innovations
• Implementation of the results of R&D work