Integrating the Accelerometer

[billbcc91]

I've tried double integration of accelerometer data for my job (design engineer at automobile company.) The integration was done after a data acquisition, not on-the-fly. I get very inconsistent results depending on the size of any zero-offsets. Consequently for measuring small distances (at 60 Hz or higher) I tend to go more for string potentiometers or laser gaging. I was trying to measure small displacements though, so the prior poster may be spot-on for distances on the scale of 1 foot.

For measuring the larger distances of this game, you may want to go for an infra-red or sonic range finder. Those are allowable while laser is not.

For autonomous last year we simply used dead reckoning. We tuned it in using trial and error. The controller is programmed to apply "X" volts of power to the drive motors for "Y" seconds. This is easiest for driving straight ahead, but you could program some turns in too.