Hi I am a final year student and I am designing a project prototype. The concept is to make a robotic line maker (pitch liner). Ive had a few brainstorm ideas, one being to have 4 corner markers/lasers and for the device to folloe these markers to create a square, then to go from one starting corner out the required distance for the first horizontal line and turn 90 degree and follow until it picks up the signal at the opposite side.

Not overly well explained but some advice (on software, hardware options) or other ideas would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

So does the robot follow a line or make a line? And if it needs to make a line, can you have a solenoid pressing down on a spray paint bottle on a typical robotic car? Or does it have to not be permanent? Also, why not just have a memory feature and have a distance sensor to account for the accumulation of errors?

 

The device will create a line with some sort compressed air and spray gun. Because this could be used for different sizes and types of pitches It has to be able to adjust which is why I thought of the 4 signals at each corner. I suppose a memory feature could also work but wouldnt be as accurate and square as an auto correcting sending and recieving system. The budget isnt overly tight on this project as id actually like to persue it as a business idea after studies.

 

Because this could be used for different sizes and types of pitches It has to be able to adjust which is why I thought of the 4 signals at each corner.

I think you will need a marker at each end of each line you want to paint.

 

You doing this off GPS coordinates, or is starting point relative to a fixed
selected position to start the robot ?

Regards, Dana.

 

The device will create a line with some sort compressed air and spray gun. Because this could be used for different sizes and types of pitches It has to be able to adjust which is why I thought of the 4 signals at each corner. I suppose a memory feature could also work but wouldnt be as accurate and square as an auto correcting sending and recieving system. The budget isnt overly tight on this project as id actually like to persue it as a business idea after studies.

Just get a few US sensors and have it have a memory of it's surroundings. There would inevitably be small errors, like turning a few extra degrees, moving a few extra mm, but you could prevent them from accumulating by having compensation based on the distance of certain objects.
https://www.amazon.com/Ultrasonic-L...785&sr=8-9&keywords=ultrasonic+sensor+arduino

You could also add servos to get a comlete 2d map of its surroundings. I made something similar recently.

If you are going to get servos for that, or anything in your project, I highly recommend metal gear servos. They are much more durable. They generally cost an extra dollar, but you won't have to buy many extras due to the gears frequently breaking. "buy cheap, buy twice"
https://www.amazon.com/RioRand-MG90...=1535722212&sr=8-6&keywords=metal+gear+servos

 

You doing this off GPS coordinates, or is starting point relative to a fixed
selected position to start the robot ?

Regards, Dana.

I think I am swaying towards GPS coordinates, however its an area that I have very little knowledge in.

 

Would these sensors be capable of picking up relevant surroundings from one side of a pitch to another to this accuracy?

 

I think you will need a marker at each end of each line you want to paint.

Would this be possible if the marker was planted under ground? and do you know what sort of marker would be used for this?

 

Would these sensors be capable of picking up relevant surroundings from one side of a pitch to another to this accuracy?

They can measure the distance from them with reasonable accuracy. The accuracy should be listed by the seller. Take a look at something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Seamuing-Ult...keywords=ultrasonic+sensor+with+servo+arduino

 

Would this be possible if the marker was planted under ground? and do you know what sort of marker would be used for this?

Is this indoors or outdoors?

 

Would this be possible if the marker was planted under ground?

I doubt it. To steer the robot towards the distant marker the robot would need to detect it from the opposite end of the line.

 

I think I am swaying towards GPS coordinates, however its an area that I have very little knowledge in.

Would GPS be accurate enough for this project?
The United States government currently claims 4 meter RMS (7.8 meter 95% Confidence Interval) horizontal accuracy for civilian (SPS) GPS. Vertical accuracy is worse. Mind you, that's the minimum. Some devices/locations reliably (95% of the time or better) can get 3 meter accuracy.

 

Would GPS be accurate enough for this project?
The United States government currently claims 4 meter RMS (7.8 meter 95% Confidence Interval) horizontal accuracy for civilian (SPS) GPS. Vertical accuracy is worse. Mind you, that's the minimum. Some devices/locations reliably (95% of the time or better) can get 3 meter accuracy.

If it's a small square of a few meters, than that's pretty terrible. So maybe consider something else.

 

Is this indoors or outdoors?

Would be outdoors, with a max length of about 150m

 

Dont think this would be accurate enough, possibly for my project but as an idea to go to market, greater accuracy would be required

 

Dont think this would be accurate enough, possibly for my project but as an idea to go to market, greater accuracy would be required

What is the goal? Why is this robot going around in a square?

 

To create a straight line football/ rugby/ hockey/ GAA pitch marking with white paint

 

To create a straight line football/ rugby/ hockey/ GAA pitch marking with white paint

Oh.

 

I doubt it. To steer the robot towards the distant marker the robot would need to detect it from the opposite end of the line.

Any ideas what would be best to use for this? Some sort of vertical straight line laser perhaps?