Top OpenCV Projects to Sharpen Your Skills and Build Your OpenCV Portfolio

OpenCV, which stands for Open Source Computer Vision Library, includes applications that solve real-world problems, allowing you to truly impact the tech world. After taking on a few OpenCV projects and building your technical skillset, you can leverage your projects to develop an excellent portfolio that will captivate recruiters.

To learn more about these various computer vision models for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, we’ve curated this guide on OpenCV projects and how you can use them to organize an outstanding portfolio.

5 Skills That OpenCV Projects Can Help You Practice

Open Source Computer Vision Library (OpenCV) supports computer vision applications and enhances the use of machine perception. Hence, businesses can easily use and customize the code. OpenCV also helps you execute tasks such as object detection, real-time face recognition, and video capturing. Below are the skills you’ll practice through OpenCV projects.

• Image Processing. To perform any OpenCV projects, you need to learn the basics of image processing. These skills help you become familiar with digital image processing because you will learn color conversion, edge detection, filter application, and other aspects. 

• Data Structure. Data structure refers to collecting data values, functions, and relationships that you can apply to the data. Generally, high-level programming languages possess built-in support for common data structures such as stacks, queues, graphs, trees, and hash tables.

• Electronics. OpenCV is mainly utilized alongside hardware devices, microcontroller units, and cameras. Consequently, you need to be conversant with the operation and connection of hardware components, like electrical terms, circuitry, and design.

• C++. This cross-platform language is suitable for high-performance applications. You will find it in most operating systems, embedded systems, and Graphical User Interface, which is why you need to be conversant with it to perform most projects. Since OpenCV is natively written with C++, you should be conversant with this programming language to execute OpenCV projects.

• Python. This interpreted and object-oriented programming language utilizes indentation to emphasize code readability. Having Python skills is essential as it enables you to write precise and logical code whether you are working on a small or large-scale project. 

Best OpenCV Project Ideas for Beginners 

While working on Open Source Computer Vision (OpenCV) tasks may be challenging initially, you can create a wide range of projects with practice. Below are some beginner-friendly projects with source code to try out.

Handwritten Digit Recognition

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python 

This vision application utilizes Python deep learning to convert handwritten digits to machine-readable formats. It provides a reliable and effective approach for banking operations to ensure there’s recognition of handwritten digits.

First, you will develop a handwritten digit recognition app with the MNIST dataset. Then employ a unique deep neural network known as a convolutional neural network. Finally, you will build a GUI to draw a digit and identify it straight away to complete the project.

Emotion Detector

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python, image processing

Facial expression detection is a widely researched topic and has brought about many vision applications. This project draws from deep learning models to create a real-time emotion detection app with OpenCV Python.

Using a real-time emotion detection application, a user will utilize the camera’s advanced features to detect their emotion. Companies dealing with mental health can leverage this to identify their client’s needs and attend to them.

Line-Following Robot

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python 

This project entails building a line-following robot with a camera attached to some motors. To implement this project, you will need a processor such as Raspberry Pi to integrate the complete structure and execute the code. 

It offers a solution that converts colored images captured in every frame into black and white versions. It also involves identifying edges to locate the path through Canny Edge detection and Hough transform techniques. You will find these two methods in the OpenCV library.

Swapping Faces

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python, Image processing

Making a face-swapping application is among the most fun recognition apps for beginners. The project entails creating an application that facilitates the interchange of faces in an image. The initial stage of this vision project is to detect the faces, the facial region, and finally, interchange both areas of the photo with another.

You can leverage the Dlib library for face detection and face landmarks detection. To ensure the successful interchange of faces, you will need to use the Delaunay triangulation method. Notably, this development is widespread in Snapchat and Reface. 

Fruit Detection

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python, Image Processing

This real-time fruit detection project idea is easy to create using Python. The idea entails making a fruit detection system, meaning when you turn on the camera in front of a piece of fruit, this app can identify the fruit correctly.

To create this system, you will need to practice a deep learning algorithm such as YOLOv4, using different images of fruits. Once you’ve trained in the algorithm, you will integrate the learned model with OpenCV functions to test whether your development accurately classifies fruits. 

Best Intermediate OpenCV Project Ideas 

To improve your OpenCV proficiency, you need to pursue projects that require challenging skills. The intermediate projects listed below will help you scale your career and significantly impact the tech world. They can also be added to your professional portfolio.

Social Distancing System

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python, Data Structure

The social distancing system utilizes a camera to pinpoint and test people who are not adhering to the social distancing requirements amid COVID-19. This system is applicable in any social gathering held indoors to evaluate whether those involved are following social distancing rules. 

To create this system, you will utilize oriented gradients to detect people and compute pairwise distances. Consequently, this software provides you with the measurement between a pair to identify whether it meets the threshold or not. 

Object-Measuring System 

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python, Image Processing

This project is created using OpenCV Python. To develop this solution, you will provide a script that reads an image and finds the dimensions of the other object based on the dimensions of the reference object.

In object measuring, you will learn different skills like performing object measurement through OpenCV and Python. You will use an image as your guide to getting the measurement size of objects in the same region.

Barcode and QR Code Reader

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python 

To create the barcode and QR code reader, you need Python skills as the system is based on OpenCV Python. With a barcode reader, you can store information in different formats. It’s even more enjoyable when you scan the barcode number to see what is stored there. You get to create a machine that can exist in the physical world and connect with people on the internet. 

License Number Plate Detector

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Image Processing

This real-time number plate detection system is developed using OpenCV Python. It utilizes image processing technology to identify cars through their number plates. This technology is applicable in numerous security and traffic systems.

To complete your real-time Number plate detection project, you will need to integrate OpenCV for license plate identification. You will also need Python Pytesseract to source characters and digits in the number plates.

Face Mask Detector 

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python

Face mask detection is a development that helps to ensure all people are wearing masks. To develop this project, you need vision techniques and deep learning algorithms to identify whether people are wearing their masks or not. 

After practicing the algorithm, you will use OpenCV to capture video frames and test your algorithm over them. Since the CDC and WHO have made it compulsory for people to wear masks, this system is highly needed to solve real-world computer vision problems, in addition to being fun to make.

Best Advanced OpenCV Project Ideas

Are you searching for creative computer vision projects to showcase your proficient OpenCV skills? You can implement complex OpenCV techniques such as image transformation, contour detection, or pixel matching. Here are some excellent ideas to try out.

Pneumonia Diagnosis

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Image Processing

Doctors typically ask for a patient’s chest X-ray to diagnose pneumonia. While this method is effective, it has its challenges. However, through the integration of OpenCV techniques, it can become much easier. To develop this advanced-level project, you will need the OpenCV library to collaborate with the X-ray images. You will then practice a deep learning algorithm to classify X-rays that show pneumonia.

Eye Detection Application

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python

By using an eye detection application, you can detect the human eye in real-time with a web camera. A popular and practical application of eye detection is photo taking. To develop this project, you will need to integrate the eye detection algorithm into the digital camera. Consequently, it will detect the position of the user’s eyes and adjust its focus accordingly. 

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Zebrafish Observer

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python, C++

Zebrafish are small, peculiar fish with many genetic similarities to humans. These characteristics make it popular among the psychologist research community interested in learning the similarities and differences in its behavior concerning humans.

To implement this idea, you will need the OpenCV library to monitor the behavior of the fish when presented with food. Although the project is straightforward, you can get creative and add more complex application features to learn zebrafish behavior.  

Hand Gesture Recognition

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Image Processing

In this project, you will determine the gesture of a hand in real-time using a web camera. First, you will separate the hand section from the background. Then you will segment the fingers to detect what gestures they are presenting. This hand gesture application allows users to perform different actions to communicate effectively. 

Face Recognition

• OpenCV Skills Practiced: Python

This creative computer vision project helps you create an application that identifies a face. It also allows you to determine whose face it is. This development is usually applied to authenticate people’s faces and label their names.

As a developer, you will need to feed the details of the people you want to recognize and then train the model to identify them. Implementing this idea also requires Dlib library and Python skills as it is a machine learning project.

OpenCV Starter Project Templates

OpenCV templates provide you with the framework for your project so that you can focus on customizing it according to your preferences and needs. Below are some OpenCV starter project templates you can explore.

• Perceptron – AI Startup WordPress Theme. This template features unique demo homepages, a responsive layout that is 100% responsive. It comes with unlimited color options for you to change the color of the whole site. You also get to enjoy over 200 elements with this theme.
• Neuron – Machine Learning & AI Startups HTML Template. The Neuron guide offers you a high resolution and is compatible with browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Firefox. It’s compatible with bootstrap 4.x, and some of the ThemeForest files that come with it include PHP Files, CSS Files, HTML Files, and JS Files. 
• MusicBase – Band Artist Radio HTML. This template helps you develop a fantastic music site with a fully responsive site layout. Thie template comes in two versions, each with 20+ pages. Users can view posts on their computers, smartphones, PCs, and tablets, and you also get to enjoy cross-browser compatibility and numerous color variations.
• Entropy – Machine Learning & AI Startups HTML Template. If you are looking for the ideal computer vision template to build a website, then Entropy is a great choice. The template comes with fewer pages to allow you to change color without much hassle. It’s also 100% responsive and fits any device. The template fits any type of speech analysis, face recognition, or self-driving car project.
• Vizion – AI, Tech & Software Startups WordPress Theme. Vizion template is widget-ready and is compatible with browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. It comes in three software versions, including WordPress 5.1.x, WordPress 5.0.x, and WordPress 4.9.x. 

Next Steps: Start Organizing Your OpenCV Portfolio

While having proficient skills in OpenCV is vital for securing a career opportunity in the tech world, you need to create an outstanding portfolio that will captivate the recruiters. You can leverage robust applications to organize and optimize your portfolio through the following tips.

Entrepreneurial Skills

People looking for job opportunities in the tech industry often focus on their tech skills, forgetting that many prospective employers are entrepreneurs. While this does not eliminate the importance of tech skills, you should demonstrate your ability to work independently and take initiative.

Core Values

Companies want to hear you understand and resonate with their core values. For instance, if they focus on creating art computer vision applications to enhance the community’s welfare, they need to see that you share their focus through the projects in your portfolio. 

Communication Skills

Do your projects solve real-world image processing problems? If so, you should explain what you did in simple language. Through our portfolio, you can showcase your excellent communication skills. One of the best ways to do this is by including short descriptions with your portfolio projects. These descriptions should explain why you chose each project and what real-world problem they addressed.  

OpenCV Projects FAQ