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Today we have a cool project from SparkFun engineer Ryan. Ryan set out to build a DIY face tracking camera mounted on a pan/tilt servo bracket. The end result is pretty awesome - check it out:
Using your basic webcam, a handful of SparkFun products, and some clever programming in Arduino, Processing, and OpenCV, Ryan was able to create a video camera that will track your face as you move around the room. The products required are the following:
- Arduino Uno (or other 5V Arduino Compatible board)
- Pan/Tilt Servo Bracket
- Webcam
- USB Cable
- 9V DC Power Adapter for Arduino
- Breadboard
- Jumper Wires
- Male Header Pins (2x 3 pin lengths)
Ryan documented the build in a tutorial, so you can build your own! Check it out and let us know what you come up with. Feel free to leave any questions here or in the comments section on the tutorial. Cheers!
Nice job on the SparkFun logo in the top left of the page. Also nice project by Ryan.
That is one sweaty dude. Oh, and nice work!
This project uses all aspects of what I am trying to learn about C, Robotic Vision and using the Arduino. I couldn't not try it out, very impressive. The face recognition can be a little iffy. Perhaps there's something wrong with the shape of my head.
I got all the software installed but it's running SUPER slow for me. I've got a fairly modern laptop with a dual core i5 processor but the face detection is occurring about once every second or two, much too slow for real-time tracking. Does any one know what could be going on?
P.S., bravo, that's amazing.
This honestly gives me a chilling flashback to a man with a thick accent saying "I'll Be Back"
Indeed, teaching them how to track our heads is probably going to be remembered as "big mistake #2" or something. ;-)
Super impressive - you guys never cease to amaze me!
Talk about doppelganger! My name is Ryan, I am also 24 and studied electrical engineering in school. Two years ago, I built a face-following camera using most of the same tools.
My version is on flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanfaerman/sets/72157619712563236/
Rather than a USB camera, I used the firewire-based iSight.
Brilliant project! Exactly what I need actually for my computer build :P
I wonder if the face tracking algorithm is subject to the same problems that have stymied other face tracking systems in the past?