Hello all.

    I'm contacting you because I am considering starting a new open source project to solve a specific problem: training and evaluating objects detection algorithms.

    Hundreds of students have been there before: "I want to create a program that detects objects in images".
    They choose a dataset for training (e.g. INRIA pedestrians), a feature descriptor (e.g. HOG), a machine learning method (e.g. linear SVM), and then, they write the code to get it all together.

    In the best case they will take bits and pieces from multiple places and spend a few weeks on the glue code. In the worst case they will spend months reimplementing existing methods.

    It is time to stop the madness.
    Training detectors for objects detection in images is a specific and well defined problem.
    It is time to share our effort and build a reference open source tool to solve this common problem.
    We should have an open source tool that provides all the common bits, the glue and allows us to focus on what we really care: the algorithms.

    In some sense OpenCv 2.2 helps a lot to the task, however OpenCv is aimed to be a generic library not a specific application framework. In that sense it will never provide the desired "install, run, see the graphs coming out" experience.

    Also ROS.org helps a lot the task, by providing a generic framework to create and exchange software modules, along with standard tools for messages passing, data storage and exploration. However this framework by itself has a non negligible learning curve and it is unfamiliar to anyone outside the robotics community.


    I currently have my own idea of how things could be. However before creating "yet one more framework" I would like to have your input on the topic.

    I have created a short form to collect your opinions. I would be very glad if you could help me go in the right direction by giving your input.

    https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFFzaDlLM1liVGNOS2FENnhrc1VWckE6MQ

    The form is anonymous and the results are public.

    Based your opinions and ideas I will do my best to move forward an usable open source solution.
    Further information will be posted at
    https://wave.google.com/wave/waveref/googlewave.com/w+yH-HOCb6H

    Best regards,
    rodrigo benenson phd.

    ps: If you are interested do not hesitate to send me a message. You can contact me via github as "rodrigob".