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Beginner’s Guide to Code Algorithms

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Advance to 2020—​the concept of collaborative machines is actually coming

alive with the new technical capabilities of High Speed Internet, Artificial

Intelligence, and Machine Learning. Take, for instance, the ability of a doctor to

visit and diagnose a patient virtually—​through the use of the video call capability

of smartphones, where one smartphone (the doctor’s) collaborates with the other

(the patient’s).

The pairing of technologies to deliver a difficult task has become the foundation

of innovation in the business world today. Automakers are collaborating with cell

phone companies to provide seamless voice call capability for drivers. Restaurants

are working in partnership with transportation companies to carry their food to a

customer who cannot travel. Banks are creating new products through joint ventures

with airlines that allow passengers to spend money and earn points toward plane

tickets.

In this spirit of collaborative tools, I wanted to introduce you to a few simple ideas

that you can solve with your PC or laptop. My hope is that you find inspiration in

these ideas to explore and innovate on your own to be the next Zuckerberg, or simply

to enjoy the experience of doing something novel!

10.1  IDEAS

1. Burglar alarm

2. Counting the people who walk into your store or pass by your window

3. Taking a remote shot using googledocs

4. Greeting based on time of day

A fundamental component to make all these ideas work is a webcam software. There

are many in the market. I particularly like Yawcam (www.yawcam.com) for its sim­

plicity and the fact that it is free. The installation instructions are available from its

website. Once installed, you have a control panel which you can configure. A quick

discussion on these features below.