Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning for Wood and Timber Products: A Scopus-Based Bibliometric and Systematic Mapping Review (1983–2026, Early Access)

This systematic mapping review and bibliometric analysis examines Scopus-indexed research on computer vision, image processing, and deep learning applied to wood and timber materials and products. A rule-based Scopus search (TITLE-ABS-KEY, 9 December 2025), combining wood and timber terms with imaging and computer vision terminology, followed by duplicate removal and structured exclusions, retained 1019 papers (1983–2026, early access) covering surface inspection, internal imaging, species identification, processing operations (log-yard/sawmill/panels), automation, dimensional metrology, and image-based property/structure characterization. The papers were classified into nine application categories and three methodological classes using improved rule-based classification with weighted scoring and exclusion rules. Paper output continues to accelerate, with 63.7% of papers published since 2016; Wood Surface Quality Control dominates (48.3%), followed by 3D and Internal Wood Imaging (13.6%), Wood Microstructure and Characterization (10.1%), and Wood Species and Origin Identification (10.6%). Methodologically, classical computer vision prevails (73.6%). Deep learning accounts for 26.4% of the corpus overall and 48.8% of papers from 2023–2026 (early access), while classical computer vision remains prevalent (70.1%) across most categories; the dataset totals 11,961 citations (mean: 11.74 per paper). Validation on 97 papers showed 80.41% accuracy for methodological classification and 70.1% for application categories. We quantitatively map method evolution across the nine categories, introducing a tailored taxonomy and tracking the shift from classical vision to deep learning at the category level. The remaining gaps include dimensional measurement automation, warp detection, sawing optimization, and benchmark datasets, with future directions emphasizing Vision Transformers, multi-modal sensing, edge computing, and explainable AI for certification.