© 2026 WEKU
Lexington's Choice for NPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The 1850 campaign is replacing lost federal funds one supporter at a time. Thanks to our listeners and supporters, we are now just 125 away from reaching this goal of 1850 new supporters donating at least $10 a month. Click here to join the campaign!

Obstructions Vanish From Images Treated With New Software From MIT, Google

Researchers from MIT and Google used a video to explain how their new algorithm separates background and foreground scenes from images.
YouTube
Researchers from MIT and Google used a video to explain how their new algorithm separates background and foreground scenes from images.

In a mesmerizing video, a researcher explains the math behind what seems like magic — photographs in which the view is obscured by things like chain-link fences and reflections become free of clutter with just a few clicks.

Researchers at MIT and Google have created an algorithm that uses multiple images taken from different angles to separate foreground obstacles from the subject that's in the background — anything from your favorite view or a sign in a window on a bright day.

We don't entirely understand how they do this, and there's no word yet on when the software might reach consumers, but it's a pretty neat trick. Check it out:

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Related Content