OpenPose vs MediaPipe: Comprehensive Comparison & Analysis
It is challenging to develop programs that comprehend their environments. A developer must first choose and design applicable machine learning models and algorithms, then build prototypes and demos, balance resource usage with solution quality, and ultimately determine and decrease. Frameworks and libraries address all of these challenges. A developer can utilize the OpenPose vs MediaPipe frameworks to create prototypes that integrate existing perception components for usage in cross-platform applications and assess system performance and resource consumption on the target platforms. This article will examine the difference between OpenPose vs MediaPipe and their functions. We'll go through the differences between them.
What is OpenPose?
Input data for some computer vision applications must include 2D human pose predictions. As follow-up duties, this also incorporates image recognition in the image editing field and AI-powered video analytics. This necessitates further research in image recognition and AI-based video analytics. Pose estimates for individuals and groups is a crucial computer vision task with applications in various fields, including action identification, security, sports, and more.
For the first time, the human body, foot, hand, and facial key points on single pictures have been effectively identified by OpenPose, a real-time multi-person human pose identification library developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers. It is the cutting-edge approach for real-time human posture estimation. The open-sourced code base is very well documented and available on GitHub. To implement the neural network, the OpenPose writers use Caffe. If you are unfamiliar with Caffe, don't panic; like many other deep learning frameworks, Caffe is quite simple to use.
What are the features of OpenPose?
The following are some of the most noteworthy aspects of the OpenPose human posture detection library, while there are many others:
- 3D single-person keypoint detection in real-time
2D multi-person keypoint detections in real-time
Single-person tracking to speed up recognition and smooth out the visuals
Extrinsic, intrinsic, and distortion camera parameters are estimated using a calibration toolkit.
How Does OpenPose Work?
Over the years, various methods have been proposed for examining human positions. Being aware of someone's perspective opens the door to various practical uses. The first few layers are used by the OpenPose package to extract features from a picture. The parts are then sent into two parallel layer divisions of convolutional networks. The first division predicts a set of 18 confidence maps, each corresponding to a unique portion of the human stance skeleton. The following branch predicts an additional 38 Part Affinity Fields (PAFs), which show the level of relationship between parts. Further steps involve cleaning up the branch-provided estimates. Confidence intervals are used to generate bipartite graphs between pairs of components. Confidence maps are used to build bipartite graphs between pairs of components. Weaker linkages are removed from bipartite graphs using PAF values.
What are the limitations of OpenPose?
The fundamental problem with OpenPose is that its outputs are low-resolution, which limits the level of detail in keypoint estimates. As a result, OpenPose is less suitable for applications that require high levels of precision in the assessment of movement kinematics, such as elite sports and medical evaluations. Additionally, OpenPose is recognized as being extremely inefficient since every inference costs 160 billion floating-point operations (GFLOPs). Despite these problems, OpenPose is still a popular network for single-person HPE that performs markerless motion capture.
What is MediaPipe?
MediaPipe is a cross-platform pipeline framework for developing unique machine-learning solutions utilized by Google internally in several products and services. It was initially created to analyze YouTube videos and audio in real-time. This framework, open-sourced by Google, is currently in the alpha stage and covers Android, iOS, and embedded devices like the Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano. MediaPipe was developed for machine learning as a service(MLaas) teams, software engineers, students, and researchers who publish code and prototypes as part of their research projects. The MediaPipe framework is primarily used to quickly develop vision pipelines that include reusable parts and AI models for inferencing. Also, it makes it easier to integrate computer vision software into applications and demos running on many hardware platforms. Teams can incrementally develop computer vision pipelines using the configuration language and evaluation tools.
What is MediaPipe used for?
MediaPipe is divided into three primary parts:
A framework for inference from sensory input
A set of tools for performance evaluation
A library of reusable inference and processing components.
A developer can gradually prototype a pipeline using MediaPipe. A vision pipeline is described as a directed graph of components, where each component is a node ("Calculator"). Data "Streams" connect the calculators in the graph. Each stream represents a time series of data "Packets". The calculators and streams collectively define a data-flow graph. The time stamps of the packets that traverse the graph are used to group them. Each input stream maintains its queue to enable the receiving node to consume the packets at its rate. Wherever in the graph, calculators can be inserted or removed to improve the process gradually. Moreover, developers can create unique calculators. MediaPipe offers sample code and demos for both MediaPipe in Python and MediaPipe in JavaScript. To use the MediaPipe solutions, only a small amount of code is needed. You can improve the solutions and produce your own by using MediaPipe in C++, Android, and iOS. MediaPipe supports Mac OS X, Debian Linux, iOS, and Android. The MediaPipe framework is relatively easy to adapt to other systems because it is built on a C++ library (C++ 11).
MediaPipe Calculators
These are particular C++ computing units that have been given tasks to complete. Data packets (such as video frames or audio segments) enter and exit a calculator through its ports. Calculators indicate the type of packet payload that will travel through the port when initialized. The Framework integrates Open, Process, and Close procedures in the calculators for each graph run. The calculator is started by opening; each time a packet is received, the process is repeated. After a full graph run, the process is terminated. Think about the first calculator in the graph above as an illustration. The ImageTransform calculator receives an image as input and outputs a transformed version of the input image. The second calculator, ImageToTensor, on the other hand, accepts an image as input and produces a tensor.
Mediapipe: AI models vs. Applications
Generally, neural networks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, CNTK, or MXNet are used to analyze different streams of incoming picture or video data. One input produces one output when using such models to handle data, which enables extremely effective processing execution. On the other hand, MediaPipe supports more complicated and dynamic behavior and operates at a much higher semantic level. For instance, a single input can result in zero, one, or several outputs, which neural networks cannot model. Compared to batching techniques, streaming processing is needed for AI perception and video processing. MediaPipe is significantly better suited for processing audio and sensor data because it supports operations on any data type and natively supports streaming time-series data.
Tracer Module
The MediaPipe tracer module logs events with several data fields by timing them over the graph (time, packet timestamp, data Id, node Id, stream ID). Also, the tracer provides histograms of different resources, such as the CPU time used by each calculator and stream. The tracer module can be activated via a configuration parameter and collects timing data as needed (in GraphConfig). The user can fully omit the tracer module code with a compiler flag. The timing data is used to create reports and visualizations of specific packet flows and calculator executions. The timing data is used to identify several issues, including unanticipated real-time delays, memory buildup as a result of packet buffering, and collating packets at various frame rates. For performance optimization, the aggregated timing data can be used to provide average and severe latencies. The timing information can also be examined to find the crucial path nodes whose efficiency affects end-to-end latency.
Significance of MediaPipe Pose in Computer Vision
A state-of-the-art development in computer vision technology, MediaPipe Pose provides remarkably accurate and efficient real-time human pose estimate capabilities. Google's MediaPipe Pose uses advanced algorithms and deep learning models to identify and track specific body parts, opening up a variety of applications such as gesture recognition and fitness tracking.
Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) trained on big datasets of annotated human position photos are the fundamental tool used by MediaPipe position. These networks can locate and recognize key points and joints in the human skeleton, among other anatomical markers. Even in intricate and dynamic situations, MediaPipe Pose can precisely estimate an individual's pose configuration in real time by examining the spatial correlations between these key points.
Because it can handle basic pose estimation issues including occlusion, variations in body proportions and forms, and adjustments to lighting and background circumstances, MediaPipe Pose is important for computer vision. MediaPipe Pose learns directly from data, in contrast to standard pose estimation techniques that frequently rely on manually constructed features and heuristics. This enables it to generalize effectively across a variety of circumstances and adapt to new contexts with little modification.
Moreover, MediaPipe Pose offers unparalleled speed and efficiency, making it suitable for applications requiring real-time performance. By leveraging hardware acceleration techniques such as GPU acceleration and optimized neural network architectures, MediaPipe Pose can achieve frame rates sufficient for interactive experiences on a wide range of devices, from smartphones to embedded systems.
Practically speaking, a wide range of sectors and businesses benefit from MediaPipe Pose. MediaPipe Pose properly superimposes virtual items onto the user's body to enable realistic virtual interactions in augmented reality (AR) applications. It offers important insights into movement patterns and exercise performance in the context of fitness tracking and sports analytics. Through gesture detection and body language analysis, it helps to enable natural and intuitive communication in robotics and human-computer interaction.
Overall, MediaPipe Pose represents a breakthrough in human pose estimation technology, offering unprecedented accuracy, speed, and versatility. Its significance in computer vision lies in its ability to empower a wide range of applications and experiences, from immersive AR interfaces to intelligent human-computer interaction systems, shaping the future of human-centered computing and interaction design.
What are the advantages of MediaPipe?
End-to-end acceleration: ML inference and video processing are built-in quickly using standard hardware, such as GPU, CPU, or TPU.
Build once and deploy everywhere: The unified framework is ideal for platforms like Android, iOS, desktop, edge, cloud, web, and IoT.
Pre-packaged solutions: The full potential of the MediaPipe framework is shown via prebuilt ML applications.
Free and open source: The framework is entirely flexible, expandable, and released under the Apache 2.0 license.
High Modularity: MediaPipe’s architecture allows for high modularity, enabling developers to mix and match components easily, which simplifies the customization of pipelines for specific tasks.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: It seamlessly supports multiple platforms, which means developers can write code once and deploy it across various devices without significant changes.
Rich Ecosystem of Solutions: MediaPipe includes a rich ecosystem of pre-built solutions for various applications, such as face detection, object tracking, and pose estimation, which accelerates development.
Active Community Support: The MediaPipe community is active and engaged, providing support, sharing resources, and contributing to the framework's continuous improvement.
What is the disadvantage of MediaPipe?
The lack of documentation with MediaPipe is a disadvantage. The "documentation" for MediaPipe consists of a website with high-level explanations of its ideas and a very straightforward code example. A developer must explore the MediaPipe example source code to comprehend MediaPipe fully. This can lead to a steep learning curve for newcomers, making it challenging for them to implement solutions efficiently. Furthermore, limited community resources may result in difficulties when troubleshooting issues or seeking guidance on advanced functionalities.
What are the differences between OpenPose vs MediaPipe?
There is a main difference between OpenPose vs MediaPipe, and There are a maximum of 17 often found key points among the four HPE libraries. The ears, eyes, and nose are the important parts on the head that are most frequently seen (5 key points). The six usually found key points of the upper body are the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, whereas the six key points of the lower body are the hips, knees, and ankles. To reach the maximum number of key points—135 for OpenPose and 33 for MediaPipe Pose, respectively—more annotations are provided for the key points at the face, hand, and foot.
Further key points from OpenPose include 70 key points for the face, 20 for both hands, 1 for the upper body, and 7 for the lower body. Six additional key points for the head, six for the upper body, and four for the lower body are provided by the MediaPipe Pose. Both top-down and bottom-up techniques can be used for keypoint identification in HPE libraries. The top-down method assigns each individual to a distinct bounding box once the number of persons is initially determined from the input.
The key point estimation is then carried out in each bounding box. In contrast to the top-down approach, the bottom-up approach executes key point detection in the first phase. The next step is to arrange the essential topics according to human instances. PoseNet, MediaPipe Pose, and MoveNet are the two libraries that use the top-down method for estimating human stance, while OpenPose and PoseNet use the bottom-up method. The four HPE libraries each employ a different set of underlying networks for pose estimation. MediaPipe Pose uses the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), OpenPose uses ImageNet with the VGG-19 backbone, PoseNet uses ResNet and MobileNet, and MoveNet uses MobileNetV2.
Architectural Differences of OpenPose vs MediaPipe?
OpenPose and MediaPipe leverage different architectural approaches for pose estimation:
OpenPose relies on a bottom-up approach using Part Affinity Fields (PAFs) to detect body part keypoints and assemble them into full body poses. PAFs capture the association between neighboring body parts.
In contrast, MediaPipe utilizes a top-down approach by first detecting a person instance and then identifying the semantic keypoints. It builds on top of machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow rather than custom architectures.
OpenPose first generates candidate keypoints through repeated spatial convolutions and then associates them via PAFs. MediaPipe takes a hierarchical approach by first detecting a person and then finding keypoints.
OpenPose can infer poses in a single forward pass but requires more complex post-processing. MediaPipe simplifies post-processing but requires multiple passes end-to-end.
OpenPose emphasizes bottom-up heatmaps while MediaPipe takes a top-down semantic approach reflecting their origins from academic research versus industry labs respectively.
Ease of Use of OpenPose vs MediaPipe
Both frameworks aim to provide accessible workflows:
OpenPose offers ready-to-use pretrained models for body, hand and face keypoint detection via simple Python and C++ APIs.
MediaPipe provides cross-platform SDKs for iOS, Android, web, C++ etc. Integration into apps is straightforward.
OpenPose has detailed API documentation but lacks tutorials for new users. MediaPipe provides richer documentation and coding examples.
OpenPose requires compiling from source for some languages which complicates usage. MediaPipe binaries simplify integration.
MediaPipe has a more streamlined workflow and processing pipeline compared to OpenPose's elaborate configurations.
Overall, MediaPipe's unified cross-platform SDKs, extensive documentation and turnkey examples give it a slight edge in usability.
Customizability in OpenPose vs MediaPipe
Both frameworks allow customization but differ in extensibility:
Retraining OpenPose for new tasks requires modifying network architectures and re-implementing downstream processing. MediaPipe simplifies retraining.
MediaPipe interoperability with TensorFlow, PyTorch, OpenCV facilitates extending functionality. OpenPose is more self-contained.
OpenPose allows greater customization of detected keypoints. MediaPipe has pre-defined hand and face landmark models.
OpenPose relies on fixed networks like VGG and ResNet backbones. MediaPipe enables custom backbones.
MediaPipe trains models end-to-end allowing joint optimization. OpenPose has discrete training steps.
Overall, MediaPipe's integration with major frameworks and end-to-end training enables simpler customization compared to OpenPose's fragmentation.
Human pose estimation using mediapipe pose
Elderly people who live alone are exposed to risks such as falling and getting injured, so they may need a mobile robot that can automatically control and recognize their situation. It is true that deep learning methods are actively evolving in this field, but there are still limitations in the estimation of situations that do not exist in the training data set or are few. For a lightweight approach, an off-the-shelf 2D pose estimation method, a more complex anthropomorphic model, and a fast optimization method to estimate joint angles are combined for 3D pose estimation. The loss function departure of the center of mass from the center of the supporting feet and the penalty functions for the proper joint angle rotation range are unique solutions to the depth ambiguity problem of 3D pose estimation.
Due to advances in medical technology and proper nutrition, the elderly population is constantly increasing. Elderly people are supervised by health managers or caregivers in nursing centers, homes or hospitals. As we said in the above section, the elderly who live at home are exposed to various risks unless a family member, social worker or a caregiver is with them. A mobile robot that moves around the house, takes pictures of the posture of the elderly in appropriate positions and automatically analyzes their posture or current activity to warn the relevant people in case of a dangerous situation or problem. For this reason, the whole body joint angle data for daily life activities is very useful information to identify, transfer to server and restore to DB as historical data.
Human gesture estimation technology is actively being researched around the world in various fields such as sports, work monitoring, elderly care at home, education at home, entertainment, movement control, and other cases. In general, human pose estimation is classified into two-dimensional and three-dimensional coordinate estimation methods, single-user and multi-user methods based on the number of target subjects, methods based on monocular image and multi-view image based on the number of subjects. Exclusively, according to the structure of the deep learning process, human gesture estimation is classified into single-stage methods and two-stage methods. One-step methods that directly map input images to 3D body joint coordinates can be classified into two categories: Detection-based methods and Rgression-based methods.
Detection-based methods predict a probability heat map for each joint, the location of which is determined by considering the maximum likelihood of the heat map, while regression-based methods directly determine the location of the joints relative to the root junction or They estimate the angle.
What is MoveNet?
MoveNet vs MediaPipe is a lightweight, efficient machine learning model developed by Google for real-time pose estimation. MoveNet is specifically designed to run on resource-constrained devices, such as mobile phones and embedded systems, making it well-suited for applications requiring low latency and high performance.
MoveNet employs a novel architecture based on a lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) that efficiently predicts human pose keypoints. Unlike MediaPipe, which uses a top-down approach, MoveNet follows a bottom-up approach, directly predicting body keypoints without the need for explicit person detection or tracking.
Choosing Between MoveNet vs MediaPipe
The choice between MoveNet vs MediaPipe ultimately depends on the specific requirements of your application and the constraints of the target devices. If real-time performance and low latency on resource-constrained devices are critical, MoveNet may be the preferred choice. However, if accuracy and robustness in complex scenarios are paramount, or if you require multi-person pose estimation, MediaPipe Pose may be a better fit.
It's important to note that both frameworks are constantly evolving, with Google researchers actively working on improving their performance, accuracy, and capabilities. As a result, the trade-offs and limitations discussed here may change over time, and it's advisable to evaluate the latest versions of both frameworks based on your specific needs.
By understanding the differences between MoveNet vs MediaPipe, developers and researchers can make informed decisions and leverage the strengths of each solution to build innovative applications and push the boundaries of human pose estimation technology.
Platform and Device Support: A Comparison of MediaPipe and OpenPose
When considering the deployment of pose estimation frameworks, understanding the supported platforms and devices is crucial. Both MediaPipe and OpenPose cater to diverse needs but exhibit differences in terms of their compatibility.
MediaPipe:
MediaPipe, developed by Google, is known for its versatility and broad platform support. MediaPipe vs OpenPose comparison often highlights its adaptability across various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. This wide-ranging compatibility makes MediaPipe a favorable choice for developers looking to create applications for desktop computers, mobile devices, and embedded systems.
MediaPipe's flexibility extends to support for multiple programming languages, making it accessible for developers using languages such as Python, C++, and JavaScript. The framework's commitment to inclusivity is evident in its effort to accommodate different hardware configurations, enabling efficient deployment on both CPUs and GPUs.
OpenPose:
The Carnegie Mellon University Perceptual Computing Lab's OpenPose open-source framework shows an identical commitment to cross-platform connectivity. It is available on an extensive variety of devices owing to its compatibility with Windows, Linux, and macOS. Because OpenPose runs on several operating systems, it can accommodate the needs and preferences of developers in a variety of settings.
Like MediaPipe, OpenPose is designed to leverage GPU capabilities for enhanced performance. This GPU acceleration allows OpenPose to achieve real-time pose estimation, making it suitable for applications with demanding performance requirements.
Optimizing OpenPose for Edge Devices
The integration of computer vision models like OpenPose into the realm of edge computing presents a big challenge. To maximize the potential of open-source openpose edge devices, a comprehensive optimization strategy is essential.
Hardware Selection
Hardware selection is a cornerstone of this process. Edge devices vary widely in terms of processing power, memory, and energy consumption. Identifying a platform that aligns with the specific requirements of OpenPose is crucial. For instance, devices equipped with dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) can significantly accelerate model inference. The OpenPose models might also leverage distinct hardware options that enhance efficiency for various use cases.
Model Optimization
Model optimization is another critical aspect. Techniques such as quantization and pruning can dramatically reduce the model's size and computational complexity without compromising accuracy. These methods are particularly effective in compressing deep neural networks, making them suitable for deployment on open-source openpose edge devices. Both OpenPose MediaPipe workflows can use such techniques to improve processing speeds on limited-resource hardware.
Inference Pipeline Optimization
Optimizing the inference pipeline is vital for real-time performance. Techniques such as asynchronous processing, batching, and hardware acceleration can improve throughput. Preprocessing steps and input image size also impact performance. Streamlining the inference pipeline is also beneficial when comparing OpenPose MediaPipe in edge device deployments, as it improves the speed of model inference.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
To fully harness the potential of open-source openpose edge devices, a holistic approach is required. By combining hardware selection, model optimization, and inference pipeline optimization, developers can create efficient and robust solutions for a wide range of applications. Holistic approaches that integrate OpenPose MediaPipe allow for an optimized balance of performance and resource use on edge devices.
Continuous Optimization
It's important to note that the continuous evolution of edge computing hardware and software technologies provides new opportunities for optimization. It is crucial to keep up with these developments to maintain the best performance on open-source openpose edge devices. Monitoring advances in OpenPose MediaPipe technologies will ensure that models remain competitive as edge computing capabilities grow.
MediaPipe vs OpenPose: A Consideration of Compatibility
In the MediaPipe vs OpenPose debate, the choice often comes down to the specific needs of the project and the platform's developers are targeting. Both frameworks offer cross-platform support, but MediaPipe's distinction lies in its native integration with Google's ecosystem, particularly on the Android platform. OpenPose, on the other hand, may appeal to developers seeking an open-source solution with strong GPU acceleration capabilities.
Ultimately, the decision between MediaPipe and OpenPose hinges on factors such as the intended deployment environment, hardware preferences, and the level of customization required. By assessing platform and device compatibility, developers can make an informed choice based on the unique requirements of their pose estimation projects.
Applications of MediaPipe vs OpenPose in Specific Industries
When comparing MediaPipe vs OpenPose, both frameworks offer advanced pose estimation, but each has unique applications across industries. Here’s a look at how these technologies are applied in specific sectors:
Healthcare & Rehabilitation
OpenPose is widely used for real-time movement tracking in physical therapy, allowing therapists to monitor patient progress remotely. Its open-source nature and precise skeleton tracking make it ideal for detailed assessments.
MediaPipe, on the other hand, provides flexibility in hand and face tracking, making it valuable for speech therapy and telemedicine applications where facial analysis is crucial.
Sports Analytics
MediaPipe has proven effective in tracking athletes' movements in sports training apps. Its efficient on-device processing allows real-time insights on mobile devices, offering coaches actionable feedback without requiring heavy computing power.
OpenPose is known for its multi-person tracking abilities, making it a strong choice for team sports analysis where tracking multiple players simultaneously is essential.
Entertainment & Virtual Reality (VR)
In the world of VR, the MediaPipe vs OpenPose comparison often leans toward MediaPipe due to its smooth integration with mobile platforms, enhancing VR interaction by capturing users' hand gestures for immersive experiences.
OpenPose is commonly employed in motion capture studios for game development, where accurate full-body tracking is essential to animate characters realistically.
Each framework brings unique strengths to these industries, and deciding between MediaPipe vs OpenPose depends largely on specific project needs and the scale of real-time tracking required.
Read Also: Pose validation | A Comprehensive Guide
Future of MediaPipe vs OpenPose
3D pose estimation
One key area of development is likely to be 3D pose estimation. While current versions primarily focus on 2D keypoints, 3D information unlocks new possibilities in areas like virtual reality and robotics. We can expect advancements in how both MediaPipe vs OpenPose handle depth data and integrate with 3D reconstruction techniques.
real-time multi-person pose estimation
Imagine crowded fitness classes where both frameworks can flawlessly track individual form, providing personalized insights for each participant. Augmented reality applications will benefit tremendously, allowing seamless interaction between multiple users within a virtual space. To achieve this, both frameworks will likely prioritize significant improvements in accuracy and efficiency, potentially through optimized deep learning architectures and hardware acceleration.
Cutting-Edge Advancements
The future of MediaPipe vs OpenPose hinges on their ability to leverage the latest advancements in hardware and software. Integration with specialized AI accelerators will be a game-changer, enabling real-time pose estimation on even low-power devices. Additionally, advancements in deep learning architectures hold immense potential. We can expect the development of more efficient and lightweight networks specifically designed for human pose estimation tasks. By staying at the forefront of these advancements, both frameworks will unlock significant performance boosts, making them even more accessible and powerful for developers.
By staying at the forefront of these trends, MediaPipe vs OpenPose will continue to be the dominant players in human pose estimation, shaping the future of how humans interact with technology.