After reviewing the
specs on the
Maxbotix Sonar Sensor, I placed my order. $30 + shipping, I can't wait for it to show up (It'll be here tomorrow!).
Bob from Maxbotix made a post
here but I don't believe there were many views.
The short version is that they sell a
small (<<1" cube) inexpensive (<$30) sonar sensor that measures from 6* to 254 inches (21 feet!) in one inch increments - and has three outputs: Analog voltage, Serial data, and pulse width. Takes up to 20 reading per second at full speed, or can be easily throttled back.
*Also senses from 0 to 6", but reports 6" and never less.
I will certainly be investigating this sensor over the summer. IF we had only had such a sensor (and the code to utilize it), we might have been able to avoid the defensebot that bumped us, causing us to flip ourselves on the ramp instead of blocking Team 11, and we might be at nationals with 16 and 95 instead of home...
I urge anyone looking to incorporate range data into a design to check into it. Once I get it working on my Vex bot, I'll file another report.
Don