Cube Area Missle Defense: Prototype 1

Here Caleb demonstrates the first prototype of the "base unit" + fire control.

I apologize for the crappy video + wonky editing + low res. It was a spur-of-the-moment capture with the family digital (still) camera's movie mode...



It's being controlled via a custom windows form app written in C# and using the most excellent Mindsqualls .net api for NXT.

$1 laser pointer grafted on from a local dollar store.
Missile is a Technic Competition Arrow and launcher. (I bought a bunch from .BrickLink a while back.)

The control at this point is via bluetooth, so it's wireless.

Next steps:

1. add a webcam control to the windows form app
2. refactor the physical manifestation (ie the robot) for less gear lash.
3. abstract out control functions for movement so I can plug in (arbitrarily) programmatic, keyboard, joystick, "forms buttons", or mouse control.
4. calibration routines to map the camera's field of view to arms range of motion
5. code to move the "aiming point" to a designated spot.
6. plug in motion detection
7. point at the center of mass of a detected movement
8. experiment with the ultrasonic sensor to see how accurately it'll detect distance...maybe figure out some simple ballistics. (alternately, only fire at an object if it's within a given distance.)
9. refactor the base with multi-shot capabilities.