Google's Artificial Intelligence DIY Toolkit (AIY) can be a good introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts. The following is an introduction to the five main functions you should know.
What is Google AIY Projects?
AIY Projects (AIY Projects) are called Artificial Intelligence Yourself, which means to create your artificial intelligence. The project was launched by Google in 2017, and the goal is to allow every Maker (maker) to DIY its own AI products.
Google artificial intelligence AIY suite (visual and voice) allows engineers, makers and STEM students to explore and experiment with artificial intelligence and machine learning.
You can explore artificial intelligence and machine learning on your own. Earlier this year, Google released two development platforms, which it calls the artificial intelligence DIY toolkit-AIY Kits: Voice Kit focuses on natural language processing, and Vision Kit focuses on computer vision. The retail price of the voice kit is US$49.99 and the retail price of the visual kit is US$89.99. Google’s AIY Kits are an ideal solution for makers and hobbyists.
Before the experience, everyone should know 5 things about AIY Kits.
1) The core is Raspberry Pi-Raspberry Pi Zero WH.
The Google AIY kit is supported by Raspberry Pi Zero Wireless with Header single board computer. The main processor is BCM 2835 SoC, operating at 1 GHz. BCM has 512MB of RAM, which has the same storage capacity as the original Raspberry Pi A+. Pi Zero WH includes BCM43143 processor with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) functions.
The board’s computing and wireless electronic components are mounted on a 65 x 31 x 11.6 mm (2.6"x 1.2" x 0.5") PCB. All electronic components and functions of the Raspberry Pi Zero WH weigh 11.5 grams (0.4 ounces).
2) Google Assistant can enable Google AIY Voice Kit.
AIY Voice Toolkit-Voice Kit uses the natural language processing (NLP) algorithm of Google Assistant to process voice. Google Assistant is an AI virtual assistant specially designed for mobile and smart home devices. NLP is a field of computer science and artificial intelligence, which functions between human natural language and computer interaction. The goal of NLP and Raspberry Pi Zero WH is to process and analyze large amounts of natural language data (text).
3) Google AIY Voice Kit is actually a smart speaker.
Through NLP, Google AIY voice kit can be used as a smart speaker, similar to Amazon's Echo. It allows users to use voice commands to get weather forecasts, play music or find other information on the Internet through Googlecloud.
By obtaining the certificate, the Voice Kit can receive various information from the Web. The Voice Kit workflow can go a step further, that is, use WiFi and BLE to obtain the Raspberry Pi Zero WH IP address, and use a certificate to connect to the Google Cloud API. The key module for receiving NLP commands, processing and sending to the audio speaker is the Voice HAT (Voice HAT). The voice servor is a small audio processing board, connected to the Raspberry Pi Zero WH SBC through a dual in-line 40-pin. Pi Zero WH has voice bonnet enabled and is equipped with an appropriate on-board electronic amplifier that can drive 8 ohm audio speakers.
4) Google AIY Vision Kit uses convolutional neural network.
Image recognition allows machines to recognize objects, places, people and text in the surrounding environment. This is usually done through algorithms such as optical character, pattern or gradient matching, face or scene recognition or scene detection technology.
The image recognition function of the Google AIY Vision suite has been enhanced by a convolutional neural network (CNN). CNN can support a large number of neurons to express large-scale models through calculations. Each layer of the CNN of the AIY Vision Suite allows the detection of higher-level, more abstract features of the object. AIY Vision Suite uses 2D CNN to recognize images, and 3D CNN to recognize images and colors of objects.
5) Visual processing unit (VPU) is used for object detection, recognition and classification.
AIY Vision Suite uses a vision engine cover for object detection and image recognition, and camera enhancement through classification. Intel Movidius VPU is a vision bonnet, used to assist object detection and image recognition-classification and processing events. The VPU can use various image sensors to perform deep CNN classification of the detected objects.
The processing unit has gesture/eye tracking and recognition capabilities and 3D depth detection. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) connected externally to the VPU. IMU assists AIY Vision Suite to detect the camera direction in order to clearly and identify objects.
Google actually sold the artificial intelligence AIY "small paper box" in Hong Kong in a low-key manner!
Google has added a mysterious "Chinese partner"-Gravitylink to its AIY Projects official website. It is Google authorized to sell two artificial intelligence development kits Voice Kit and Vision Kit under the AIY Projects project in Hong Kong.
Have you tried Google's AIY suite? Please tell us what you think of the kit in the comments!