ALPR
Automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) is software that decodes the license plate numbers of vehicles through their images. The technology uses different neural networks. The first one is used to capture the license plate numbers from an image and the second one decodes those images. The plate recognizer works even on blurred images or images with different rows of text.
ALPR on Raspberry Pi
The fact that Raspberry Pi has a small RAM capacity and a slow CPU makes it hard for the ALPR code to fit into it. For this reason, the plate recognizer has an optimized recognition algorithm that fits into Raspberry Pi.
To install ALPR on Raspberry Pi, you have to start by creating an account followed by signing in on the official website of the software.
Next, you have to choose a Software Development Kit plan that’s suitable for you.
Follow that step by installing Docker on the machine you want to use. Remember that the software works best on Linux so make sure you have one. If you don’t then you can use Mac or Windows as well. Those who have other operating systems can install the docker toolbox first before continuing. You’ll also need at least 500MB RAM as well as a third-generation Intel CPU.
Run this on your terminal to get the SDK image “docker pull plate recognizer/ALPR-Raspberry-Pi”.
Lastly, use the command “platerecognizer/ALPR-Raspberry-Pi” to create a container.
What is a Raspberry Pi?
Raspberry Pi is a small and cost-effective computer that doesn’t have peripherals such as a mouse and a keyboard. Instead, it has small pins that are used as input and output and its initial purpose was to help teach the computer to those in developing countries. The initial version of the computer had the lowest specifications such as a 256MB Ram and a 700Hz CPU but it has since been evolved to have better specs.
Conclusion
Running Raspberry Pi not only saves you money but it’s also easy to set up and it has multiple ways of innovation. It is the best way to track vehicles and keep the community and schools safer.
DIY License Plate Scanner Built with a Raspberry Pi video