Hi DepthAI fans!
We just got multi-DepthAI support working yesterday and successfully tested today!
What does this mean?
You can now use as many DepthAI as you want with a given host.
As many USB ports you have, or as many USB hubs you’re willing to add, you can use that many DepthAI!
See here for how to use this: Multiple DepthAI support #48.
We’ll be pushing this to master soon.
Why did we do this?
We’re working with Akara.ai to make a UV-based cleaning robot to help fight COVID-19. To clean public spaces without having to risk infecting people. And to clean things (like sensitive medical equipment) which can’t be cleaned chemically.
Akara’s robot (named Violet, a great name!) has bright UV-lights onboard which kill the RNA in SARS-CoV-2 (the virus which causes the COVID-19 disease).
UV is the reason you get a sun burn outside, it’s this same ultraviolet light, which when outdoors is killing a layer of your skin. It’s also not great for your eyes. But it is great for killing bacteria and virus’ RNA (rendering the virus a harmless pile of protein).
Why is DepthAI needed?
So if my son walks in front of the UV light (or any other person), it would hurt his skin and his eyes (killing surface layers of cells, just like it kills bacteria and virus on surfaces).
What DepthAI allows is a safety functionality where the device automatically shuts off its UV lights when people are too close, in the field of view, etc.
Why is this important?
Traditional UV-cleaning lights need to be used with empty rooms, and are cumbersome and involve much training to make sure anyone operating one knows how to use the product, when, and protocols to follow, etc. - which limits their deployment and effectiveness.
With a UV-light that automatically turns off in the presence of people who are too close (or if any other malfunction occurs) a robot equipped with one can be deployed autonomously, and can be cleaning buildings automatically and in the background when people aren’t around. This can be applied to any public spaces (grocery stores, public transit, hospitals, hotels, etc.).