Evolutionary computer vision and image processing: Some FAQs, current challenges and future perspectives

Applications to image/signal processing and analysis have been studied since the very early years in the history of Evolutionary Computation up to a degree of popularity which has allowed terms like Evolutionary Computer Vision (ECV) and Evolutionary Image Processing (EIP) to become common among researchers. Within these fields, the role of EC has gone well beyond basic optimization of the parameters of traditional Computer Vision (CV) or Image Processing (IP) algorithms or mere use within those algorithms which comprise an optimization stage anyway. This paper, far from having the pretence of making an exhaustive review, tries to sketch the motivations behind the success of ECV/EIP, the present status of research in such a field, and a personal view of its possible developments in the near future, based on the authors' more than 20-year long direct experience.