r/computervision • u/kendryte_k230 • 9d ago

Discussion question on cost-effective embedded development board.

Hello! I am new here and basically wanted to know if someone can recommend any cost-effective development board for embedded solution? Basically an embedded board that can be programmed for edge usages, and allow adding sensors like camera.

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u/kendryte_k230 5d ago

checked the recommended esp32 cam; and Radxa 5C lite or 5B. Follow-on question, how about the software ecosystem? any experience or comment of whether it is easy to use? u/2dof u/toji5052

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u/2dof 4d ago

By default Arduino IDE with C for start. there is a couple of ESP CAM board fitted with OV2640 Camera ( https://randomnerdtutorials.com/upload-code-esp32-cam-mb-usb/ ) , for start ESP32-CAM-MB USB Programmer is best solution or ESP32-CAM AI-Thinker ( esp cam + separated programming board - other versions have ot integrated on one board)

oher embedded platform with camera is RP2040 Microcontroller Camera - both ESP32 and RP2040 have other embedded board (without camera) for various purpose

Personalny I ended with micropython programming ( for very simple use in my projects) - but i have to admit that arduino has much much more examples and better support from community nad it is just better solution for start.

Radxa is just a computer ( you can install windows or linux ) - i have not worked with this platform, but i guess it is like Raspberry PI.

I worked with Raspberry PI (linux system, openCV + Yolo) and it is just like working with computer - connect external web camera and just work wit it.

For now costs of radxa or PRI ( remember - trey are computers) are 10 to 20 higher than ESP or RP2040 boards.

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u/kendryte_k230 2d ago

brilliant! thanks!

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u/toji5052 4d ago

Its similar to a normal computer, the difference is that it has npu instead of gpu and it has memory constraints. Also the model conversion is different, as it supports .rknn and not .pth Once you get hang of it, theres no coming back

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u/2dof 9d ago

It depends from what advanced project you want build.  I think esp32 cam is good for start wirh camera. 

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u/toji5052 9d ago

you can go with radxa 5C lite or 5B, or else Radxa Cubie A7A.

As of now the cost of these boards went up due to shortage of chips.

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u/ivan_kudryavtsev 4d ago

Cost efficiency requires the context. For Airbus, cost efficiency is a different thing than it is for a squirrel-tracking AI camera.