Welcome to the exciting world of train tracking! In this blog, we’ll explore how to deploy and utilize a project called OnlyTrains, which serves the purpose of watching a piece of train track, detecting passing trains, and stitching together images of them. With this guide, you’ll be able to set up your own tracking system using a video4linux compatible USB camera or a Raspberry Pi camera v3 module.
Overview of OnlyTrains
OnlyTrains is a lightweight system built primarily for hobbyists who have an interest in train spotting. It leverages simple computer vision techniques to spot and record trains in a designated area. Think of it as a friendly little robot that watches the trains for you while you relax and enjoy your favorite brew!
Getting Started
- Ensure you have a video4linux USB camera or a Raspberry Pi camera v3 module.
- Set up your Raspberry Pi; ensure it has an operational version of Raspberry Pi OS.
- Familiarize yourself with the basic sysadmin and Go knowledge as you will need it to get up and running.
Deployment Steps
There are two main components to set up: the Go binary that detects trains and the web frontend that displays the data.
1. Install the Go Binary
Use one of the following methods to get your binaries:
- Run this command: go install github.com/jo-m/trainbot/cmd/trainbot@latest
- Download a pre-built binary from the latest CI run on GitHub Actions.
2. Configure the Raspberry Pi
To adapt the camera settings, run the interactive tool:
make deploy_confighelper host=TRAINBOT_DEPLOY_TARGET_SSH_HOSTReplace TRAINBOT_DEPLOY_TARGET_SSH_HOST with your Raspberry Pi’s SSH address. For example: make deploy_confighelper host=pi@10.20.0.12
3. Set Up the Web Frontend
The frontend is built in VueJS and consists of only static files. Deploy it by following these steps:
export FRONTEND_DEPLOY_TARGET_SSH_HOST=myuser@mywebserver:/var/www/trains
cd frontend
make deployUnderstanding the Code
Think of the program as a careful gardener in a garden of train tracks. Just like how a gardener watches over flowers, the OnlyTrains software keeps a vigilant eye on the tracks. As trains pass through, the system takes pictures and stitches them together into a beautiful panorama. The way a gardener notices subtle changes in bloom is akin to how this software detects the movement of trains based on speed and pattern recognition, ensuring nothing goes unnoticed!
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you encounter issues during your setup:
- Ensure your camera is properly configured and recognized by the system.
- If you’re not seeing any tracking, confirm the environment is stable without large brightness changes.
- Check the alignment of your camera to the tracks; it should be set perpendicularly.
- For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.
Final Thoughts
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.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have a basic understanding of how to track trains using OnlyTrains. With this nifty setup, you can capture images of passing trains and share your findings with the world. Happy train spotting!