Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: rwiebe89 on September 04, 2011, 03:57:35 PM

Title: A human tracking robot? What sensors to use?
Post by: rwiebe89 on September 04, 2011, 03:57:35 PM
Hi everybody, first post, so I apologize for any redundancies.

I am wanting to build a robot that can follow me around my shop (for reasons unspecified) via a clip on remote that will clip onto my belt. I was curious what sensors I should use to triangulate my position? Keep in mind that sometimes my body will be in between that of the robot and remote. It needs to work at a decent range (20-30ft). Any ideas? Links to others who have tried something similar? Thanks!

Title: Re: A human tracking robot? What sensors to use?
Post by: waltr on September 04, 2011, 06:42:08 PM
There are a number of discussion on this forum about what you would like to do.
Try a search.
Title: Re: A human tracking robot? What sensors to use?
Post by: rwiebe89 on September 04, 2011, 08:22:29 PM
There are a number of discussion on this forum about what you would like to do.
Try a search.

Any idea how to do this specifically with a clip on remote? I've seen several posts about human tracking otherwise, but not with a remote. So in essence, I am really tracking a remote, that just happens to be on a human. Thanks.
Title: Re: A human tracking robot? What sensors to use?
Post by: waltr on September 05, 2011, 08:24:00 AM
Quote
I am really tracking a remote

A TV IR remote?
Or is it just an IR beacon?
In that case the Bot needs at least two IR detectors and a way to determine if the beacon is to the right, the left or straight ahead. Then turn to keep the beacon straight ahead.

The Bot will also need a sensor to keep from running into the human. An ultrasonic distance senor is good for distance measurement.
Title: Re: A human tracking robot? What sensors to use?
Post by: Toymaker on September 06, 2011, 02:01:20 AM
A great way to do this is with ultrasonics have a look at this golf trolley that follows the golfer at a set distance.

GoGo "follow me" golf trolley. http.//www.omgsrl.it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0XwJCllGnY#)

Its just a simple ultrasonic belt mounted transmitter.

Toymaker

Title: Re: A human tracking robot? What sensors to use?
Post by: rwiebe89 on September 06, 2011, 12:52:06 PM
Quote
I am really tracking a remote

A TV IR remote?
Or is it just an IR beacon?
In that case the Bot needs at least two IR detectors and a way to determine if the beacon is to the right, the left or straight ahead. Then turn to keep the beacon straight ahead.

The Bot will also need a sensor to keep from running into the human. An ultrasonic distance senor is good for distance measurement.

Well I apologize for not being more specific in the beginning, basically the "robot" is a stationary tripod that holds camera (or equivalent). The sensors on the tripod track the remote on the person, and send a signal to a servo motor that will control the lazy susan (which the camera is on top of). And I realize that there already products like this out of the market, I am trying to design something new, and using a camera scenario is the best way to explain this. So:

Criteria:
-Needs to track a remote (no body heat tracking from IR)
-Decent range (20-30ft)
-Sensors won't be effected by objects getting between it and the remote

Any ideas? Would bluetooth or rfid tags work?

Thanks