Passive Income Ideas For Computer Vision Engineers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a computer vision engineer in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a computer vision engineer today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a computer vision engineer.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, you could create an AI writing tool by capitalizing on your expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The tool could help businesses, bloggers, and students by generating accurate and engaging content quickly and efficiently. This means people spend less time writing and more time focusing on other important tasks.
Given the high demand for quality content, developing such a tool could carve out a niche for you in the tech world and open up new income streams. The knowledge you already possess in AI positions you well to tackle the technical challenges involved. If successful, your AI writing tool could become an indispensable resource, ensuring a steady flow of passive income.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
2. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, you could start an AI-based business solution to leverage your skills and expertise in a growing market. Your background in computer vision gives you a unique advantage in creating AI tools that optimize business processes. For instance, you could develop software that automates repetitive tasks, enhances customer service through chatbots, or improves inventory management.
By launching an AI-based solution, you could help businesses make better data-driven decisions, thereby increasing their efficiency and reducing operational costs. The demand for AI tools is rapidly growing, providing a promising opportunity for you to enter this market. With a well-thought-out implementation plan, you could tap into the expanding need for advanced AI applications, making it a strategic and potentially lucrative venture.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
3. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, you could leverage your technical skills to develop a lead generation tool that helps businesses find potential customers more efficiently. This tool could automate the tedious process of gathering new client leads, integrating with websites and social media to collect valuable data like email addresses, phone numbers, and customer interests.
By doing this, you would enable businesses to focus their efforts on converting leads into sales rather than spending countless hours on manual lead search. Considering the high demand for effective lead generation, this side project could become a steady source of passive income. For someone with your technical background, developing such a tool could be a lucrative and manageable entrepreneurial venture.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.
4. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, you could leverage your specialized skills to develop a mobile app that integrates computer vision technologies. Imagine creating an app that can recognize objects, analyze images, or even assist users with augmented reality experiences. Your technical background in machine learning and image processing provides a strong foundation for creating unique, high-value applications.
Starting a mobile app doesn't require extensive business experience; you could begin by outlining your app's purpose and designing its user interface. By developing a prototype and testing it with real users, you could refine your app and ensure it meets market needs. Marketing your app will be essential, and using your industry knowledge to target the right audience could make your venture succeed.
Creating a mobile app offers an opportunity to generate passive income, whether through in-app purchases, ads, or a subscription model. If you have a groundbreaking idea, your app could become a significant source of supplementary income or even a full-time business in the future. With dedication and a clear strategy, the potential for success in this field is substantial.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
5. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($235K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, you could leverage your technical skills to develop an email marketing tool. This kind of software, which helps businesses create, manage, and automate email campaigns, is in high demand. By creating a tool that efficiently handles bulk emails, you could tap into a rapidly growing market, projected to reach $2.53B by 2028.
You might start by buying a domain and hosting account, and from there, use your programming background to build features that attract entrepreneurs and startups. The potential to generate passive income comes from businesses subscribing to your tool on a monthly basis. This provides you with a steady revenue stream without constant hands-on work. By addressing specific needs in the email marketing space, you could create a valuable asset that helps various industries reach more customers.
How much you can make: $120 — $2,083,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 170 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
6. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($148K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, you could translate your technical skills into managing multiple social media accounts effortlessly, driving engagement and growth through automation. A social media automation business involves creating tools and services that can schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data across various platforms. This means small businesses and influencers would pay you to enhance their online presence while saving valuable time.
Given the increasing demand for consistent social media engagement and the necessity for strategic posting, there is a significant need for automation. Your background in technology would be instrumental in developing or integrating software solutions, staying updated on trends, and tailoring services to meet clients' needs. For those with a knack for technology and marketing, this venture could be both lucrative and fulfilling.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
7. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, you could start a podcast focusing on the latest developments, challenges, and applications in your field. You might cover topics like new research, practical tips for solving common problems, interviews with industry experts, and case studies of innovative projects. This could not only help you share your expertise but also keep you updated on the latest trends in computer vision.
To start, you would need some basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and choose a niche that attracts listeners interested in computer vision. Hosting your podcast on an affordable platform and promoting it through social media and online communities could help you build an audience.
As your listener base grows, you might attract sponsors or advertisers, providing you with an opportunity to earn passive income. This approach allows you to leverage your existing knowledge and network within the computer vision community, turning your passion and expertise into a profitable side hustle.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
8. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, you could leverage your technical skills to start a WordPress plugin business that addresses specific needs in image processing or computer vision. For instance, you could develop plugins that enhance website functionalities like automated image tagging, content-based image retrieval, or real-time object recognition. These kinds of specialized plugins could attract website owners who need advanced capabilities without deep technical knowledge.
By focusing on solving particular problems with your plugins, you could create a steady income stream. You could sell your plugins on popular online platforms such as CodeCanyon, or through your own blog or website. This way, you could help clients improve their websites while earning passive income from your expertise.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
9. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, you could leverage your specialized knowledge to create and sell online courses, reaching a broad audience eager to learn about this exciting field. Topics could range from introductory principles to advanced techniques in computer vision, making it possible to cater to both beginners and experienced professionals looking to enhance their skills.
Creating online courses is relatively straightforward—identify your target audience, design a structured curriculum, and choose an online learning platform to host your content. With the e-learning market expected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years, starting an online course business could not only provide a significant supplemental income but also establish you as an expert in your field.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
10. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way for a computer vision engineer to supplement their income. You could create a channel focused on sharing insights into computer vision projects, tutorials on popular algorithms, or even discussing trends in the AI and machine learning landscape. By producing engaging, informative content, you could attract a dedicated audience and monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
Additionally, showcasing your work and explaining complex topics in simple terms could position you as an expert in your field, opening up further opportunities for consulting or speaking engagements. The key would be to consistently produce high-quality videos and actively engage with your viewers to build a loyal following. If you're willing to put in the effort and have a passion for teaching or sharing your knowledge, a YouTube channel could be more than just a side hustle; it could become a significant source of passive income.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
11. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a computer vision engineer, starting a niche website could be a great way to supplement your income and make extra money. You could create a website focused on computer vision technologies, tutorials, or even the latest industry trends, serving a dedicated audience with targeted content. This approach allows you to share your expertise while engaging in creative projects outside of your regular work.
Building such a site involves selecting a topic you're passionate about, creating useful and compelling content, and drawing traffic through effective SEO strategies. Once you've established your website, you could monetize it via affiliate marketing, ad placements, or by selling digital products like e-books and online courses. Over time, your niche website could become a reliable source of passive income, turning your specialized knowledge into a rewarding entrepreneurial endeavor.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
12. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a great way to supplement your income as a computer vision engineer. Since you're likely already familiar with cutting-edge technology and software, you might opt to promote products in areas you know well, such as machine learning courses, AI tools, or even specialized hardware like GPUs. Sharing your insights and recommendations on a personal blog or social media could draw a tech-savvy audience that trusts your expertise, potentially leading to sales and commissions.
To get started, it's important to find the right products and brands to partner with, especially ones that align with your existing knowledge and interests. For example, you could become an affiliate for an eCommerce store that sells tech gadgets, or partner with manufacturers specializing in computer vision and AI-related products. By leveraging your technical background, you can create content that resonates with your audience, ultimately generating passive income through affiliate commissions.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
13. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a smart move for a computer vision engineer looking to supplement their income. By sharing your expertise on a specific topic related to computer vision, you could engage with a passionate online community and build a reliable following. For instance, you could write about the latest developments in computer vision technology, provide how-to guides for new software, or offer commentary on innovative projects and research.
Monetizing your blog could involve several strategies, like embedding affiliate links in your content, collaborating with relevant tech brands, or even fostering a YouTube channel with video tutorials. By consistently engaging with your audience and offering valuable information, you could gradually grow your presence and start earning passive income. Passion and regular interaction with your readers would be key elements to ensure your blog's success.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
