Vizy AI camera runs Tensorflow, OpenCV, PyTorch on Raspberry Pi 4 (Crowdfunding)

We previously covered Charmed Labs PIXY2 computer vision camera based on an NXP LPC4330 microcontrollers that worked with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other development boards.

The company is now back with a fully integrated more powerful solution with Vizy AI camera featuring a Raspberry Pi 4 SBC with up to 8GB RAM.

Vizy AI camera key features and specifications:

SBC – Raspberry Pi 4 with Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Arm Cortex-72 processor, up to 8 GB RAM
Camera – High-resolution camera based on Sony iMX477 12.3 MP sensor that can capture at over 300 frames/second and support both daytime and nighttime viewing; Both M12 and C/CS lenses are supported
Video Output – 2x micro HDMI ports
Audio – Analog stereo audio port
Networking – Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band WiFi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0
USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB Type-C port from Raspberry Pi 4 (But not sure it’s actually used)
Expansion – 8-pin terminal block for digital and analog I/O with high-current output for controlling motors, solenoids, relays, lighting, etc…
Misc – Power on/off button, RGB LED, light mount, cooling fan, RTC with battery backup
Power Supply – 12V DC via power barrel jack

The AI camera supports optional accessories including an M12 zoom lens with 87° FoV, an outdoor enclosure, lighting, a telescope adapter, and a 4G LTE cellular USB modem. Vizy can be configured via a web interface accessible from any device or computer with a web browser and programmed using Python with support for deep-learning neural networks in order to detect objects, people and/or animals using Tensorflow, OpenCV, or PyTorch. As an edge AI platform, all processing is done onboard, which means no connection to the cloud is needed nor a monthly fee has to be paid.

The company provides several example projects pre-installed on Vizy AI camera, namely a birdfeeder app to identify birds coming to eat, or bad boys like squirrels or chipmunks that can then be chased away if the camera is connected to a water sprinkler, the Motionscope app that fully makes use of the 300 fps camera by displaying a graph of moving objects, a telescope application to control a motorized telescope from your tablet or smartphone, and a Pet Companion to remotely or automatically feed your pets. There are also other more basic samples for object detection, optical character recognition (OCR), slow-motion capture, timelapse, etc….

Vizy AI camera has just launched on Kickstarter with a $15,000 funding goal that looks to be surpassed very soon. Rewards start at $229 with the camera fitted with a Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB RAM), an 32 GB Ultra MicroSDXC card preloaded with all software, a 12 MP camera sensor, a wide-angle, distortion-free lens, a switchable IR filter for day or night use, I/O connectors and accessories, and a 25W power supply. Shipping adds $9 to the US, $19 to Canada, $29 to some European countries, and $49 to the rest of the world. Backers should expect their rewards to ship in January 2021 if everything goes according to plans.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.