Vision and Evolution: State of the Art

Abstract

This chapter presents a tour d’horizon of the origins of visual representation and their connection with computer vision and evolution. In this way, the exposition starts with brief summaries on the history of vision in art, mathematics and technology. Later, the history of computer vision is described with an emphasis on several paradigms that have been applied for solving the visual problem. In particular, the goal-driven strategy is introduced as the primary framework for visual processing. This provides the useful link for understanding the relevance of evolution as the main paradigm for optimization within the general problem of computer vision. Thus, the concepts of purpose and teleology are used to introduce the overall approach that is applied, within the EvoVisión laboratory, in what we call evolutionary computer vision. Finally, an overview of the research area is provided along with some useful points to continue the quest for relevant information.

“As natural selection works solely by and for the good of each being, all corporeal and mental endowments will tend to progress towards perfection.”

– Charles Darwin

“The soul never thinks without a mental picture.”

– Aristotle