This contribution focuses on different topics that are covered by the special issue titled ''Real-Time Motion Estimation for image and video processing applications'' and which incorporate GPUS, FPGAs, VLSI systems, DSPs, and Multicores, among other platforms. The guest editors have solicited original contributions, which address a wide range of theoretical and practical issues related to high-performance motion estimation image processing including, but not limited to: real-time matching motion estimation systems, real-time energy-based motion estimation systems, gradient-based motion estimation systems, optical flow estimation systems, color motion estimation systems, multi-scale motion estimation systems, optical flow and motion estimation systems, analysis or comparison of specialized architectures for motion estimation systems and realworld applications.