ML Everywhere with Inexpensive Microcontrollers #TinyML #TFlite #BangleJS #NodeWatch #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence @nearform @espruino
Machine learning is making its way onto open-source DIY smartwatches! The NodeWatch was created for NodeConf EU 2019 by NearForm Research and Espruino. The watch uses the NRF52832 SoC with Bluetooth LE 4.2 and, with the Espruino IDE, you can connect directly to the chip from the browser. The watch also runs TensorFlow Lite which was used to train a hand-gesture recognition model for NodeConf. In a recent article, Conor O’Neill, CPO of NearForm, uses the NodeWatch as a case study to discuss ML on edge devices and the future of ML.
…anyone can get involved in Machine Learning on inexpensive devices without having to learn about cross-compilers, Python distributions, USB-Serial adapters or GPUs.
The article talks about increased accessibility and lower cost of ML and hypothesizes that ML will be “everywhere” (using smartwatches and smart light bulbs as examples). Beyond consumer products, O’Neill suggests that these advances will improve ML education saying:
I’m convinced tangible/tactile ML like this will engage people for far longer than “yes you’re right, it’s a cat”.
If you’d like to read more about ML on the NodeWatch check out these posts. If you’re interested in learning more about the NodeWatch, check out the Kickstarter for bangle.js (NodeWatch) or the bangle.js website. If you’re interested in the implementation, take a look at the bangle.js app and repo, the bangle.js TensorFlow emulator or the Espruino repo.