Codebox: Lose your head with OpenCV

Codebox: Lose your head with OpenCV: "

OpenCV is a 'library of programming functions for real time computer vision.' An open source project supported by Willow Garage, the library contains over 500 algorithms for image manipulation, object detection, feature extraction, and a variety of other tools you can use to write programs that can 'see.'

The OPENCV Processing and Java Library, a project maintained by Stéphane Cousot and Douglas Edric Stanley at the École Supérieure d'Art d'Aix-en-Provence, provides a wrapper that allows you to use a subset of OpenCV in Processing. In honor of Halloween, this Codebox will show you how use OpenCV to remove people's heads in real-time from a video feed. For example:

Future posts will cover less gruesome applications for this awesome library.

Installing OpenCV Processing and Java Library

The fist step in using the library is to download and install it from http://ubaa.net/shared/processing/opencv/. The site's documentation is great — just follow the steps listed on the "Installation Instructions" on the main page. Once you've followed the steps, fire up Processing, and then try out the code in the detect() example, which puts a red rectangle around any faces (frontal view) detected in the webcam. You should see something like this:

Create Enormous Bubbles with a Super-Size DIY Bubble Wand [DIY]

Create Enormous Bubbles with a Super-Size DIY Bubble Wand [DIY]: "

Two years ago we shared a DIY bubble wand guide, this amazing video—featuring a super-size version of that DIY bubble wand—prompted us to dig the old post out of the archives. More »

Easily Add Images to Your Google Contacts with Picasa People Photos [Digital Pictures]

Easily Add Images to Your Google Contacts with Picasa People Photos [Digital Pictures]: "

A new feature in Google's Picasa image management application, which is incredibly good at identifying faces, allows you to set Google Contacts photos for every contact you have a picture of in a couple clicks.

This Is How Lockheed Martin Paints F-35 Fighters (Spoiler: With Lasers) [Airplanes]

This Is How Lockheed Martin Paints F-35 Fighters (Spoiler: With Lasers) [Airplanes]: "

This is the most advanced painting facility in the world. It was created by Lockheed Martin for one single purpose: To make the F-35 Lighting II almost invisible to radar. As you can imagine, they don't use spray cans. More »

Encrypted Google search coming to a browser near you - Ars Technica

Encrypted Google search coming to a browser near you - Ars Technica: "

Encrypted Google search coming to a browser near you Ars Technica Google has begun rolling out an encrypted version of its search engine in an effort to protect Internet users from having their searches sniffed by others on their network. The new version of Google ... Google Launches Encrypted SearchWired News Google Launches Encrypted SearchInformationWeek Google Offers Encrypted Web Search OptionPC World Register -CNET -TechCrunch (blog) all 24 news articles »

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Lego Technic bridge launcher

Lego Technic bridge launcher: "

This neat model by Peer Kreuger wins points for its excellent gearboxes -- for instance, the bridge has no servos on it, it extends and contracts via a servo on the vehicle itself.

The Stilzkin EXT3 Bridge Launcher is used to deploy bridges to cross rivers, small chasms or similar obstructions. Placing the bridge takes less than a minute. Once the span has been put in place, the launcher detaches itself from the bridge, and moves aside to allow traffic to pass. Once all of the vehicles have moved over, it crosses the bridge itself and reattaches to the bridge on the other side. It then retracts the span ready to move off again.

[via Brothers Brick]

U.S. Air Force gets 3,000 new 'cyberspace officers'

U.S. Air Force gets 3,000 new 'cyberspace officers': "

The U.S. Air Force already made a sizable push in November of last year by establishing a new cyberspace operations division with no less than 27,000 officers, and it looks like it's now further bolstered their ranks by promoting some 3,000 communications officers to the rank of 'cyberspace officer.' That new title also comes complete with the impressive-looking badge pictured above, not to mention a full 115 days of additional training that promises to 'raise the bar on technical competency.' Hax0rs, beware.

U.S. Air Force gets 3,000 new 'cyberspace officers' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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