Roboflow Blog

3 Aug 2026 • 18 min read

Inference Providers for Computer Vision Models

Compare inference providers for computer vision models and learn how to deploy custom models with Roboflow. Explore Serverless Cloud API, custom weight support, Workflows, pricing, deployment options, and a step-by-step path from training to cloud, dedicated, or edge inference.

3 Aug 2026 • 18 min read

Best Open-Source OCR Models

Explore some of the best open-source OCR models including PaddleOCR-VL, GLM-OCR, and MinerU which beat 235B VLMs on OmniDocBench at 0.9B params.

3 Aug 2026 • 9 min read

How Often Should You Retrain a Computer Vision Model?

Learn how to recognize performance decline, data drift, new edge cases, and other signs that indicate a computer vision model needs retraining.

3 Aug 2026 • 18 min read

Human-Object Interaction Detection with RF-DETR

Build human-object interaction detection without interaction labels: RF-DETR finds people and forklifts, Gemini classifies safe vs unsafe, in Roboflow.

3 Aug 2026 • 14 min read

Computer Vision PLC Integration: Turn Detections into Machine Actions

Computer vision PLC integration turns detections into real machine actions. Learn how cameras, RF-DETR, Roboflow Workflows, edge inference, and protocols such as OPC UA, Modbus TCP, and EtherNet/IP connect vision systems to PLCs for reject, stop, alert, and quality-control tasks.

31 Jul 2026 • 9 min read

Powder-Coat Defect Detection

Detect craters, orange peel, bubbles, and scratches with RF-DETR, then use Gemini 2.5 Pro to summarize the visible defect and its apparent severity in the annotated image.

31 Jul 2026 • 5 min read

Building a Pool Monitor with Raspberry Pi and Roboflow

How to use a Raspberry Pi, a phone camera, and a Roboflow classification model to know when a pool needs a refill.

30 Jul 2026 • 10 min read

Machine-Vision AI for Surface Defect Severity Assessment

Build a computer vision pipeline for identifying surface defect severity and evaluating product quality.

29 Jul 2026 • 23 min read

Shop Floor Data Collection: How to Automate It with Computer Vision

Shop floor data is usually typed into forms after the fact. Cameras already see every unit, defect, and stoppage. Learn how to turn those observations into timestamped production events with RF-DETR, Roboflow Workflows, and Vision Events, including a working cycle-time example.

27 Jul 2026 • 9 min read

What Is a Unified Namespace? Where Vision AI Fits in the UNS

A unified namespace gives every plant system one data model. Roboflow Workflows publish camera detections as MQTT events any MES can read.

27 Jul 2026 • 10 min read

Retail Object Detection with RF-DETR

Train a model to detect empty shelf spaces and automate restocking decisions.

27 Jul 2026 • 22 min read

Production Line Monitoring With Camera AI

Build production line monitoring with camera AI: train RF-DETR to detect defects, count bottles, and trigger alerts with Roboflow Workflows.

22 Jul 2026 • 13 min read

How to Make Automatic Highlight Reels from Kids' Soccer Games

Upload a soccer game, click your kid once, and get back a highlight reel with every play they were part of. Two RF-DETR models trained in the Roboflow UI handle detection and tracking, and a local Python pipeline reads jersey numbers, finds the goals, and cuts the clips.

22 Jul 2026 • 6 min read

Run RF-DETR in NVIDIA DeepStream on Jetson

From pretrained weights to live multi-camera inference on a Jetson Orin NX: TensorRT engine build, the custom bbox parser DeepStream needs, and per-class colors with a pyds probe.

22 Jul 2026 • 8 min read

Hog Ring Detection with Computer Vision

Detect visible hog rings with RF-DETR, compare their positions with predefined attachment zones, and use Gemini 2.5 Pro to generate an automotive seat inspection summary.

22 Jul 2026 • 4 min read

Gemini 3.6 Flash for Vision: Evaluation and Benchmarks

Cheaper and faster than Gemini 3.5 Flash, and the best model we tested on video. Object detection is the one real step back.

22 Jul 2026 • 10 min read

Flanges Quality Inspection with Computer Vision

Train RF-DETR to catch flange face defects, then sort results into pass, review, and fail.

20 Jul 2026 • 13 min read

Advanced Techniques for Optimizing AI Inference Costs

In this guide, you will learn about advanced techniques that can help reduce AI inference costs across the complete computer vision pipeline.

19 Jul 2026 • 9 min read

Vision AI Vs. Sensors

A practical framework for choosing between a sensor and a camera on the plant floor.

17 Jul 2026 • 9 min read

Pipe and Tubes Quality Inspection with Roboflow

Automate tube and pipe defect inspection. Train an RF-DETR model to detect holes, cracks, and ruptures, and build a pass, review, or fail Workflow in Roboflow.

17 Jul 2026 • 9 min read

Retail Object Detection with RF-DETR

Detect visible beverage products with RF-DETR, compare their counts with fixed camera-frame thresholds, and use Gemini 2.5 Pro to generate a shelf inspection summary.

17 Jul 2026 • 17 min read

Teaching a Porch to Recognize Delivery Drivers and Accept Packages

An end-to-end build of a self-unlocking porch lockbox: on-device detection on an old iPhone gates a cloud Roboflow Workflow, which validates courier-with-package events inside a drawn porch zone and triggers a solenoid lock through an ESP32. Includes delivery verification and a live dashboard.

17 Jul 2026 • 11 min read

Cosmetic Defect Detection with Computer Vision

Learn how computer vision can automate cosmetic defect inspection by detecting paint scratches and identifying the affected car part. This guide shows how to train an RF-DETR model in Roboflow, build a part-level inspection Workflow, and return visual results and repair-ready outputs for QA review.

16 Jul 2026 • 6 min read

Multi-Model Auto Labeling for Segmentation with Roboflow Workflows

Stack SAM 3, Gemini, and GPT into a single Workflow, require a 2-of-3 vote on every mask, and auto-label entire segmentation datasets without drawing a single polygon.