Abstract: A cable safety and maintenance vision system includes an imaging unit comprising at least one imaging device configured to capture images of a side profile portion of a cable. The cable forms a continuous cable loop. A cable defect detection processor is in communication with the at least one imaging device. The cable defect detection processor is configured to receive images from the at least one imaging device, to identify features in the images that indicate potential defects, and to output a location on the continuous cable loop of the features in the images that indicate potential defects.