LIDAR simulation
 

I was investigating what the world looks like with non-contact distance sensors (SONAR, LIDAR, IR), so I made a simulation.
This is intended to run on your computer. Be prepared to create a sample map of obstacles with an image editor, and show context help to view the descriptions.
(The code itself is not heavily documented (no VI descriptions), but the user interface should be)

Happy simulating!


PS.
You could use this for testing algorithms for autonomous robot navigation.

Re: LIDAR simulation
 

Very good idea with the visualization. These space bending transforms are often hard to visualize at first, but with a few samples, it is amazing how your head can then generalize and learn how to see the world as a ...

If you are looking to improve the UI, being able to see both the picture and graph at the same time would be a nice thing. That would allow you to scan the picture in your head and compare your intuition with the graph . For an even better demonstration, slow it down and animate a sweep bar around the picture and graph the mapped points over say four seconds.

Also, the double click is an OK trigger, but I'd suggest treating it like a map at the mall. Place a colored dot on it (you are here). Let the use click or drag to move the dot. Put in a default map with interesting stuff and always have something in the graph, and I think this makes a nice demo.

Good job.
Greg McKaskle