PeekingDuck is an open-source, modular framework in Python designed specifically for Computer Vision (CV) inference. Its unique name combines ‘Peeking’, representing the essence of CV, and ‘Duck’, a nod to the concept of duck typing in programming. This guide will walk you through how to set up and utilize PeekingDuck effectively while troubleshooting common issues along the way.

Features of PeekingDuck

• Build Real-time CV Pipelines: PeekingDuck allows you to create strong CV pipelines with minimal code.
• Leverage State-of-the-Art Models: Utilize various models for object detection, pose estimation, object tracking, and crowd counting.
• Create Custom Nodes: You can develop custom nodes as needed and integrate PeekingDuck into your existing workflows by importing it as a library.

Installation

To install PeekingDuck, simply use pip from PyPI:

pip install peekingduck

For users with ARM-based devices such as Raspberry Pi or Apple Silicon Mac, detailed installation instructions can be found in the documentation. To verify your installation, run:

peekingduck verify-install

If successful, you should see a video of a person waving their hand with bounding boxes overlaid. Remember, the video will close automatically, or you can quit it anytime by pressing ‘q’.

Usage Example

To begin using PeekingDuck, follow these steps:

mkdir project_dir
cd project_dir
peekingduck init
peekingduck run

If you have a webcam, you should now see the output with a skeletal frame overlayed on a waving man. Terminate the program by clicking on the output screen and pressing ‘q’. Use peekingduck --help to view additional help for the command-line interface.

Understanding the Code: An Analogy

Think of the process of creating a PeekingDuck project like building a pizza. Here’s how the analogy works:

• Creating the Cook (Project Folder): Before cooking, you need to have a clean kitchen. Similarly, you create a project directory (like your cooking space).
• Gathering Ingredients (Initializing the Project): Just as you prepare and gather your toppings (ingredients) for the pizza, you initiate your PeekingDuck project with the peekingduck init command.
• Baking the Pizza (Running the Project): When you run the command peekingduck run, it’s akin to placing your pizza in the oven, and as it bakes, you witness the magic happen.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during installation or execution, don’t panic! Here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Ensure that your Python version is compatible (3.6 to 3.9).
• Check if all required dependencies are properly installed.
• If you face any specific errors, refer to the FAQ section or report a bug on the project’s GitHub page.
• Make sure your webcam is correctly set up and functioning if you wish to use it for output.

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Conclusion

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.