Abstract. This paper shows how the Xilinx System Generator can be used to develop hardware-based computer vision algorithms from a system level approach without the necessity of in-depth knowing neither a hardware description language nor the particulars of the hardware platform. Also, it is demonstrated that Simulink can be employed as a co-design and co-simulation platform for rapid prototyping of Computer Vision HW/SW systems. To do this, a library of optimized image processing components based on XSG and Matlab has been developed and tested in hybrid schemes including HW and SW modules. As a part of the testing, results of the prototyping and co-simulation of a HW/SW Computer Vision System for the automated inspection of tangerine segments are presented.