Revolutionizing Presence Detection with ASUS AI Card

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The ASUS IOT AI Accelerator PCIe Card
3. Why We Shied Away from AI
4. The Challenge of Presence Detection
5. The Limitations of Bluetooth and Motion Sensors
6. Introducing the AI Card
7. Understanding the Edge TPUs
8. The Power Draw and Cooling of the Card
9. Using the AI Card for Presence Detection
10. The Benefits of Presence Detection
11. Using Frigate with the AI Card
12. Configuring Frigate for Detection
13. Exploring the Capabilities of Frigate
14. Using Double Take for Facial Recognition
15. Setting Up Double Take
16. Exploring Different Facial Recognition Models
17. The AdVantage of Optimized Hardware
18. Addressing Security Concerns
19. Conclusion
20. Our Sponsor: FreshBooks

The ASUS IOT AI Accelerator PCIe Card: Revolutionizing Presence Detection with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of various industries, revolutionizing the way we perform tasks and solve problems. However, AI technology has often been inaccessible to end-users due to its technicality and complexity. That is until the ASUS IOT AI Accelerator PCIe Card, also known as the CRL-G116U-P3DF, came into play.

Introduction

In this article, we will Delve into the world of AI and explore the capabilities of the ASUS IOT AI Accelerator PCIe Card. We will discuss its purpose, its components, and how it can be utilized for presence detection in home automation systems.

The ASUS IOT AI Accelerator PCIe Card

The ASUS IOT AI Accelerator PCIe Card is a powerful piece of hardware specifically designed for artificial intelligence computation. Developed in collaboration with Google under the brand Coral, this card features 16 onboard Edge TPUs (Tensor Processing Units). These TPUs are dedicated hardware processors optimized to run machine learning inference calculations.

Why We Shied Away from AI

For years, we avoided covering AI-related topics due to various reasons. As non-developers in the field, finding practical use cases and demonstrating them in a relatable manner presented a challenge. Additionally, many AI use cases involved technical complexities not easily understood or applicable to the average user.

The Challenge of Presence Detection

During our research and testing of a home automation setup, we encountered a roadblock in the form of presence detection. It became crucial for the system to be aware of whether anyone was home in order to optimize energy efficiency and provide personalized preferences.

The Limitations of Bluetooth and Motion Sensors

Traditional methods of presence detection, such as Bluetooth low energy Beacons or motion sensors, proved to be inadequate. Bluetooth signals could not reliably detect presence when phones were left on chargers or moved around the house. Motion sensors failed when detecting occupants who were stationary for extended periods or sleeping.

Introducing the AI Card

Enter the ASUS IOT AI Accelerator PCIe Card. This innovative hardware solution offered a breakthrough in presence detection. With its powerful Edge TPUs and optimized hardware, it promised a more accurate and reliable method of determining occupancy in a home.

Understanding the Edge TPUs

The Edge TPUs integrated into the AI card are capable of performing around 4 trillion operations per Second, consuming only 2 watts of power. With 16 TPUs onboard, the card provides a total processing power of 32 watts. These TPUs excel at running machine learning inference calculations, making them perfect for presence detection tasks.

The Power Draw and Cooling of the Card

Despite being within the power limits of a PCI Express slot, the AI card also requires a six-Pin power connector. This is likely due to additional power requirements for the PCIe switch and cooling fans. The inclusion of a substantial copper fin cooler ensures efficient heat dissipation during operation.

Using the AI Card for Presence Detection

The AI card proved to be the ideal solution for presence detection in our home automation setup. By leveraging the processing power of the Edge TPUs, it became possible to accurately determine occupancy and optimize energy consumption. This led to substantial improvements in efficiency and cost savings.

The Benefits of Presence Detection

Presence detection offers numerous benefits in a home automation system. It allows for automatic control of lights and HVAC systems, increasing energy efficiency when no one is present. Additionally, it enables personalized preferences Based on individual room occupancy, enhancing user comfort and convenience.

Using Frigate with the AI Card

To fully leverage the capabilities of the AI card, we integrated it with Frigate, a software solution that efficiently detects presence using cameras. Frigate utilizes the processing power of the Edge TPUs to analyze video feeds and identify occupants in real-time.

Configuring Frigate for Detection

Setting up Frigate required configuring the software to work with the AI card. By mapping the Edge TPUs to specific devices and adjusting settings such as frames per second, we achieved optimal performance in presence detection.

Exploring the Capabilities of Frigate

With Frigate in place, we conducted tests to evaluate its effectiveness. The software accurately detected the presence of individuals and even distinguished them from other objects. The flexibility and reliability of Frigate combined with the power of the AI card made presence detection a breeze.

Using Double Take for Facial Recognition

Taking presence detection to the next level, we explored facial recognition capabilities. Through the use of Double Take, an API and interface for facial recognition software, we were able to train the system to identify specific individuals and personalize automation preferences accordingly.

Setting Up Double Take

Setting up Double Take required configuring facial recognition models and training them with dedicated datasets. By utilizing models like DeepStack, CompreFace, and Facebox, we achieved impressive accuracy in identifying individuals in real-time.

Exploring Different Facial Recognition Models

We compared different facial recognition models to determine their performance and capabilities. Each model had its strengths and weaknesses, ranging from accuracy to adaptability. Ultimately, CompreFace stood out as an exceptionally capable model, showcasing its ability to perform accurate facial recognition even with limited training data.

The Advantage of Optimized Hardware

The AI card's Edge TPUs demonstrated their superiority over traditional CPUs for AI computations. Their hardware optimization allowed for faster processing speeds, with a single TPU capable of handling a significant number of cameras at 5 frames per second. The AI card provided unparalleled speed and efficiency in presence detection.

Addressing Security Concerns

With concerns surrounding AI and privacy, it is crucial to address security implications. Fortunately, by utilizing locally hosted hardware and open-source software solutions, we were able to ensure that all data remained within the confines of our home. As such, the AI card and associated systems provided a secure and privacy-focused approach to presence detection.

Conclusion

The ASUS IOT AI Accelerator PCIe Card has revolutionized presence detection in home automation systems. With its powerful Edge TPUs and optimized hardware, it offers a reliable and efficient solution for determining occupancy. Through integration with software like Frigate and Double Take, the AI card unlocks the full potential of AI-enabled automation, providing personalized experiences and enhancing energy efficiency.

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Highlights

• The ASUS IOT AI Accelerator PCIe Card revolutionizes presence detection in home automation systems.
• The Edge TPUs onboard the AI card provide exceptional processing power with optimized hardware.
• Frigate and Double Take software solutions enhance the capabilities of the AI card for presence detection and facial recognition.
• Presence detection offers numerous benefits, including energy efficiency and personalized automation preferences.
• Security concerns are addressed by locally hosting hardware and utilizing open-source software.
• FreshBooks, our sponsor, offers a simple and efficient accounting solution for small business owners.