I am a developer and not an expert on sensor technologies and am requesting advice on selecting the best type of sensor for a particular problem.
The sensor will measure the distance from a fixed sensor position to an object moving in the X and Z directions.
The sensor will need to be capable of detecting the object from 5 to 150 centimeters away (Z direction) and have a field of detection of at least 100 degrees in the X direction.
The tracked object will not have power but can be tagged with a sticker which can differentiate it electromagnetically or otherwise to the sensor.
I have tested using a colored sticker on the object and a webcam for the sensor, but this is to too unreliable and imprecise.
Thanks for your help!
Thanks Jeff:
Do you know if there is a sensor which can precisely measure distance to the closest object on a plane to the sensor and its X angle from the sensor?
I was thinking something that shoots out sound, light, or some other waveform on a plane and can measure distance and X angle from the sensor?
Thanks,
Mark
That’s generally how the Hokuyo line of scanning sensors work…
If you’re looking for something less expensive, you make your own by mounting an IR or ultrasonic distance sensor to a servo motor that you can program to move back and forth.
Distance sensors:
Servos:
If we understand correctly, you’re looking to know both the X and Z positions, correct?
For a solution more precision than video, there aren’t a lot of options. Is the object large? You might be able to use
] a 3D time-of-flight camera that will have more precision/:m]
] or a laser rangefinder/:m]
Is the object attached to something? If it’s attached to an arm or some other mechanical linkage system there would likely be ways of adding sensors to them.
If not, is it possible to attach something to the object? Before the above mechanisms, a rope-and-pulley system comes to mind as a possible solution.
