Edge Detection

Community General Discussions
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1

I've noticed a lot of robots with edge detection, to prevent them falling off edges (obviously).

I'm curious as to the type of sensor used for this. I'm assuming it's IR, but are people using an off the peg sensor, or making their own?

Thanks,

The Bromz.

2

Edge detection is just reading distance

You can use whatever sensor you want. “Edge” detection is simply looking for a big change in distance readings or if a reading is further than a given threashold. The nice thing is that whatever the robot is driving around on is going to be pretty close to the chassis of the robot (unless you are using huge wheels) so the sensor you use can be one that works at close range. A simple IR led/ IR transistor (which usually only has a range of a few CM) would work fine as the “ground” is always going to be close and also a given distance away.

3

** OK.So would a simple Sharp**

 

OK.

So would a simple Sharp IR range finder do the trick?

I only ask this, because I’ve heard they don’t work well across small distances.

4

LED and LDR

You can also use LED’s and LDR’s just as I did to this robot. 

Have a look on this tutorial.

5

XicoMBD, would your set up

XicoMBD, would your set up be affected by driving from say carpet to vinyl flooring?

I would assume vinyl flooring to be more reflective than carpet. Also how long does an LDR take to adjust? is it almost instant, or a matter of 5, or so seconds?

6

LDR are very quick, their

LDR are very quick, their readings are almost instantaneous.

 I only used it on tables and wood floor but if you use ultra bright LED’s I think that there won’t be differences. 

7

I recommend the QRD1114 as

I recommend the QRD1114 as it is easy to use, includes both IR LED and IR detector, and cheap.  I picked up 20 of these from arrow.com for $0.58 each (found using findchips.com).  You can use them in a simple circuit to provide a digital input to your bot, so you aren’t limited by the number of ADCs available and its easier to code.

Here is an LMR tip on it showing dark detection, but it also works with the type of edge detection you are interested in:

https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/22452

Cheers!

8

Thanks for the info lads.All

Thanks for the info lads.

All good stuff and appreciated.