Computer vision is becoming an important part of future technology. For example, we will have access to self-driving cars in the very near future - car manufacturers are scheduled to be releasing self-driving models in 2017 and are already partially self-driving. In order to achieve this, the car's computer needs to be able to see around it; identify obstacles, other traffic, and weather conditions; and then use that to plan a safe journey.
While we can easily detect whether there is an obstacle, for example using radar, it is also important we know what that object is. If it is an animal on the road, we can stop and let it move out of the way; if it is a building, this strategy won't work very well!