C++ and Arduino Problems - 5/06/15

We have researched for a week on how to convert and execute the C++ file into the Arduino unit.  In addition we were also trying to figure out how to implement the webcam into the Uno as well. Arduino is based on C language which is slightly different but can be converted.  However, the problem found is that Arduino cannot utilise the webcam to provide object tracking.  This is due to two reasons.

The first is that the Arduino is a slave device, much like the webcam.  They are both devices that rely on inputs and commands from a host device.  This can be rectified using a USB host shield to make the Arduino a host device but the biggest downfall is that the Arduino unit does not have the processing power to provide object tracking functions.  This does undo much of the progress the past few weeks but after searching for alternatives, we have arrived with the Raspberry Pi.

This mini computer has just enough processing power to produce object detection as shown in the video link below.

It is important to note that the camera used is a Raspberry Pi Camera module and not a USB camera.  Despite this, it still does use OpenCV to help produce object tracking codes so the Logitech webcam could still be used.  Another learning that I could take from what I've found this week is that you need to look at the processing power before undertaking the project.  Thankfully, however, the programming and such during the past few weeks were not in vain as I am now fairly familiar with the process and especially since this new direction also relies on OpenCV and an IDE based on a new language called Python.  

More exploration and sourcing of the new parts will be done in the next few days.