I was wondering if there’s any sensors out there for detecting humans. As it is, the majority of my robots only have tactical or sonar, so they can’t tell the difference between me and the wall. The exceptions being my Hero Jr and R2D2 units. Hero Jr. uses something that looks like it’s from a security system (the visible part of the sensor on his “head” is about the size of a credit card), while the R2D2 “toy” has just a small opening, with a small dividor (maybe to tell if the left or right side has a higher…human detection reading thingie).
I think the sensors are infrared, but the sensors I’ve seen are for proximity, tracking lines, taking orders from a DVD remote, ect. And if infrared is used, will the robot confuse me with an oven cooking my pizza? Are there other options?
Preferrably something that’s lighweight and fits into a Multi-Purpose Sensor Housing.
PIR sensors supposedly have a fair selectivity for humans.
you could always try and make a bot stop and then somehow have the sensor track moving objects, label that object, then continue moving, idk
just throwing out some ideas 
you could have the bot shoot a paintball at it and then make a categorization based on how it moved.
i know mike (SN96) is doing a project with object tracking for his biped in fighting tournaments, i know he has a custom sensor board and all, but he or some others could probably help you out with a simpler tracking program using sensors like an Ultrasonic Ping ))) Sensor 
lynxmotion.com/Product.aspx?productID=492&CategoryID=8
or an Ultrasonic Sensor
I would suggest using a PIR sensor (Pyroelectric Infra-Red).
And the easiest way might be to hack one of those motion-sensor light controls - they can be bought for 10 bucks or less.
They are specifically designed to detect moving warm objects, such as humans and animals.
Years ago I wrote an article for the Seattle Robotics Society on how to hack a sensor that I bought at Wal-Mart for something like $8.
The hack involved:
- Overriding the light/dark sensor (otherwise it only works in the dark).
- Adapting it to run on 5V power, instead of the AC line.
- Fiddling with the sensitivity and timing controls, so that it would re-trigger every few seconds, and only stay on for a second or so.
Pete
see im always proved wrong, 
i wish i could fingure out better
That has been tossed around on another thread that I looked at, it is a lot harder than it sounds trust me
then just run into things with a touch sensor on the end, if the touch sensor is activated have the robot stay in place, and if the touch is deactivated with out the bot moving, then its a human, or pet
then that kindof cancels everybodies dream of a robot with an airsoft gun blasting people who deserve it. Now where’s my list…
Has anyone tried using thermal cameras?
I’m sure that there’s very few household items that are both warm, appear vaugely human, and move.
wat about everyones in home full size humanoid biped?
but on a serious note thermal imaging cameras are expensive as are infrared, which would probably be the better coice, ill have to ask my dad about it, hes a sercurity technician and he should be able to shed quite a bit of light on this
use a thermal array and detect for 98.6 degrees on an A/D channel…or something
robotshop.ca/home/products/robot-parts/sensors/thermal-array-sensors/index.html
It’s expensive but is a drop in a bucket next to a $2,000 biped =)
…should i even try?
THAT LINK SOUNDS INTERESTING
oops had caps lock on mY bad
I think we’ve discussed that sensor here, before.
The problems with it can be realised simply:
If it can detect a small burning flame (200+ Fahrenheit?) at six feet, what’s the range for a 98.6F human?
And, how fun is it going to be spotting a 98.6 human in a 70-80 room?
And then, there’s always the oven, toaster, car, heating vents, spots of sunlight on the floor…
Sure, I’m pessimistic.
That’s not to say this bugger wouldn’t help a lot.
But, I don’t think it’s a one-size fits all solution.
Combined with other sensors like a PIR and maybe some sort of imaging system, it might just do the trick.