GPU Accelerated Motion Detector – Real-Time Scene Change Detection Using CUDA
RidgeRun’s GPU Accelerated Motion Detector is a high-performance scene change detection solution that leverages CUDA-enabled GPU acceleration to identify motion in real-time video streams. This tool is composed of a C++ libraryand a GStreamer plugin, making it ideal for embedded Linux systems like NVIDIA Jetson, where efficiency, low latency, and fast processing are critical.
Unlike object trackers, this solution focuses purely on detecting changes within the scene, making it perfect for surveillance, robotics, and edge AI applications that require event-triggered logic without the computational overhead of full tracking.
Key Features:
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Scene-Based Motion Detection
Highlights areas of video that have changed—does not track objects but detects motion events. -
GPU-Accelerated via CUDA
Optimized for NVIDIA platforms, the detector uses GPU resources to offload processing from the CPU and enable real-time throughput. -
Modular C++ Architecture
Built with a clean, extensible structure that includes noise reduction, blob detection, and scene differencing stages. -
GStreamer Integration
Includes a ready-to-use GStreamer element (gpumotiondetector) for pipeline-based deployment and fast prototyping. -
Platform Optimized
Especially effective on systems with CUDA support, including Jetson-based robotics, drones, and smart surveillance platforms.
Example Use Case:
A mobile robot equipped with Jetson Orin uses RidgeRun’s GPU Accelerated Motion Detector to monitor its surroundings as it patrols a facility. The detector flags visual changes in the environment—such as a door opening or a person walking by—and sends alerts to its AI module for further analysis. This enables the robot to respond proactively to environmental changes, while leaving the CPU available for navigation and decision-making.
What’s Included:
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RidgeRun C++ motion detection library
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GStreamer plugin with real-time capabilities
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Sample GStreamer pipelines and usage documentation
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Optional 11-hour Embedded Software Support package
Supported Platforms:
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NVIDIA Jetson (Nano, TX2, Xavier NX, AGX Orin)
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x86-64 Linux with NVIDIA CUDA-enabled GPUs
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Compatible with any GStreamer-based system supporting CUDA
Why RidgeRun?
With over 19 years of experience in embedded software, RidgeRun specializes in low-latency video processing and GPU-accelerated solutions. The GPU Accelerated Motion Detector enables developers to efficiently integrate real-time motion awareness into production systems—without reinventing the wheel.
Read more in the developer wiki
Explore performance details in our technical blog post