RFP/JOB: OpenCV Developer for Facial Recognition of Lions
This RFP looks for a developer or team that can aid in the creation of a web framework and
database for the Lion Guardian lion database initiative.
Start Date: OCT 1, 2014
Timeline: 3 months
ABOUT US:
The Lion Guardians in conjunction with IEF R&D and partner conservation initiatives are developing a
lion database/website and computer vision ID system for east Africa. The goal is to address the
problems of fractured habitat and the marginalization of “sparsely populated’ wildlife areas. Recent
studies have shown greater mobility by lions through these areas, linking previously believed disparate
populations into new population boundaries.
This work has been slowed though by the lack of cross pollination between data sets prohibiting the
correlation of lion ID’s which encompass an individuals full range. Therefore this initiative aims to
unifying this data by utilizing an easy to use application to identify and consolidate lion sightings in
east Africa.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The Lion Guardians in conjunction with IEF R&D and partner conservation initiatives are developing a
lion database/website and computer vision ID system for east Africa. The goal is to address the
problems of fractured habitat and the marginalization of “sparsely populated’ wildlife areas. Recent
studies have shown greater mobility by lions through these areas, linking previously believed disparate
populations into new population boundaries.
These studies have been slowed though by a lack of cross pollination between data sets, prohibiting the
correlation of lion ID’s which encompass an individuals full range. Therefore this initiative aims to
unify this data with an easy to use application to identify and consolidate lion sightings in east Africa.
The website/database component will function as a entry point into the lion data base allowing users to
search, submit and cross reference lion data collected in east Africa. The main search feature will be
based around a computer vision application to ID lions from static images. This will entail users
uploading,editing and submitting images to be ID. These images will then be classified along with any
accompanying meta data and entered into the database for further reference. The end goal is to create
an efficient clean, even pleasurable, interaction for conservationists to enter and consolidate real data, it
will be open to the public but will focus on being a scientific tool first.
Developer/s project goals:
The developer/s will be responsible for the creation of the front end site as well as the underlying
database to provide a robust clean framework that can be expanded as the project grows. The front end
will incorporate basic user account entry, database content retrieval and display, standard image
galleries,dynamic map, static content pages, as well as a custom image “editing” functionality when
entering images into the database. Also a emphasis will be put on providing an easy to use
straightforward user experience for interacting with the database when submitting and retrieving
information.
The database will be based off the current data structures utilized by the conservationists in their field
work. This classification schema will be added to in order to provide functionality for the computer
vision Lion ID application. The database structure will need to incorporate linking structures between
multiple Lion ID’s, images and classification data in order to retain meaning for the conservationists
inquiries and optimization for the computer vision system.
Key Deliverables:
• Help to design and structure a lightwieght framework in php (Codeignitor or other) for the site.
• Development of a clean front end user experience that will let conservationists as well as the
general public to successfully interact with the lion database.
• Production of the general website content and services, static content, photo galleries,
interactive map, user account creation, basic security features etc.
• Front end basic image processing functionality, cropping rotating, scaling.
• Communicating with the rest of the development team to integrate the Computer Vision
application with the rest of the site, most likely by optimizing php exec calls to a C based
command line program.
Skills Set Background:
• Coding: HTML/CSS/Javascript/PHP/BASH scripting.
• Operating systems: Linux CentOS servers.
• Strong background in LAMP type development with experience in a major framework.
• HTML 5 and Canvas experience a plus.
• Ability to code cleanly with code reuse and collaboration as a main goal.
• Ability to integrate command line and bash functionality into a meaningful interface for the
larger framework.
• Ability to design to the specific application and communicate trade offs in time/complexity to
functionality.
• Good person to work with, experience with lions a plus.
If interested please contact after Sept 17:
Justin Downs: Justin@iefrd.com