Finding a target?

[h3ro]

Hey

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on what sensor to use to idetenfy a target? Im working on a robot with a shoting mechanism and I would like it to try around and actually try and hit a target. I can do what ever I want to the target to make it easier to find. Colour, IR or something else. Any ideas?

[Soeren]

Hi,

I can do what ever I want to the target to make it easier to find. Colour, IR or something else.

If you place an IR LED in the center of the target, a slightly hacked Wii-Mote might be just the aiming device you need (within reasonable distance).

[h3ro]

Thanks for the suggestion, it looks like it could be a good alternative from doing some reading.

I have found quite a few articles and blogs about how to hack the remote, but im still a bit unsure about how it actually works. Does the camera do some kind of processing and return the x,y position of where there are IR Leds on the screen? From what I have read it sounds like it, but it would be nice of someone could confirm this.

[123laurens]

IR rangefinders could work too. or sonar. get a servo for sweeping the sensor and remember what angle has what value, and continue scanning until a change in that position is found, something is nearer at a certain point, there's your object. edge detection can be used to follow the object.

[h3ro]

Thank you for your suggestion, but that will only work for finding the distance to a target I think. My question is about how to find the target in the first place.
Anyone know about the Wii remote question?

[Soeren]

Hi,

I have found quite a few articles and blogs about how to hack the remote, but im still a bit unsure about how it actually works. Does the camera do some kind of processing and return the x,y position of where there are IR Leds on the screen? From what I have read it sounds like it, but it would be nice of someone could confirm this.

Yes, but it has got 3 modes (basic 10 bits, extended 12 bits and full 18 bits).
Only do this if you feel up to it and have a 'mote to spare.

I'd like to use one myself, together with a nunchuck and a balance board you could make a serious controller, but I think my GF would be furious if I gutted all her Wii controls

Read about the Wii-mote camera here

[adanvasco]

What're about OpenCV?

[h3ro]

Thanks for the link to the wii mote data. I think I can make it work, does not look like it takes to much knowledge about electronics.

OpenCv would be really cool, but I dont want to have to attach a laptop to my robot project.

[ChrisW]

Read about the Wii-mote camera here

so there is a use for the Wii besides bad games.... thanks for the link +rep
-Chris