Automatic catcher?

[minhnhatbui]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

It is. We have done it.

This sensor (we're using two of them right now): https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8504

The sensor outputs an analog signal. To calibrate it we held the ball where we wanted our trigger point to be and recorded that value. The driver holds down a button on the control interface to open our catching mechanisms and when the sensor sees something that crosses the trigger point value the catcher snaps shut.

We added all of the hardware and code in the last two days of build, it's really simple and straight-forward.

Until then we were getting good results with driver reflexes, but wanted to automate it to remove some burden from the driver.

This is what we are currently trying to look into since it eases the burden on the drivers. It does not however eliminate the need to position the robot correctly, and since we are relying on the drivers' instincts, this will take a lot of practice.

Tracking a ball will be a tough feat, especially with no reflective tape on the balls themselves and considering the lighting that comes from the roof. IMO, it would be better to spend this amount of energy and time elsewhere.