Summary of LIGHT TRACKING ROBOT RELIES ON LDRS
PHIL is a simple light-tracking robot using an Arduino Uno and twin servos for pan-tilt motion. It features a 3D-printed cruciform shroud housing four light-dependent resistors (LDRs) to detect light direction without complex electronics or machine learning.
Parts used in the PHIL Light Tracking Robot:
- Arduino Uno
- Twin-servo motion platform
- 3D-printed cruciform-section shroud
- Four light-dependent resistors (LDRs)
These days, when doing any sort of optical tracking, our mind immediately leaps towards sophisticated solutions. Raspberry Pis, high end cameras, and machine learning toolchains all come to mind. Of course, if your goals are simpler, you needn’t complicate the issue. PHIL is a light tracking robot who is perfectly happy to do it the old-school way.
PHIL consists of an Arduino Uno running a twin-servo motion platform, providing the sensor head with pan and tilt functionality. The sensor head itself consists of a 3D-printed cruciform-section shroud that mounts four light-dependent resistors in individual sections. The shroud helps block light to the off-angle sensors, giving a stronger difference between those exposed to the light directly and those on the dark side. This makes for a stronger difference signal, so when the Arduino reads the sensors, it’s much clearer which way PHIL should point the sensor head to follow the light.
The builder, [Sean O’Donovan], notes that PHIL was built with no practical purpose in mind, and is simply a cool project. We certainly agree, and it’s important to note that skills picked up on a project like this will invariably come in handy down the track. Such techniques can be highly useful for tracking the sun, for example. Video after the break.
Source: LIGHT TRACKING ROBOT RELIES ON LDRS
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What components make up the sensor head of PHIL?
The sensor head consists of a 3D-printed cruciform-section shroud that mounts four light-dependent resistors in individual sections. -
How does PHIL achieve pan and tilt functionality?
Pan and tilt are provided by a twin-servo motion platform controlled by an Arduino Uno. -
Does PHIL use machine learning or high-end cameras?
No, PHIL uses an old-school approach with LDRs and avoids sophisticated solutions like machine learning toolchains. -
What is the purpose of the cruciform-section shroud?
The shroud helps block light to off-angle sensors, creating a stronger difference signal between exposed and dark sensors. -
Can the techniques used in PHIL be applied to tracking the sun?
Yes, the builder notes that such techniques can be highly useful for tracking the sun. -
Who built the PHIL light tracking robot?
The project was built by [Sean O'Donovan]. -
What is the primary goal behind building PHIL?
PHIL was built with no practical purpose in mind, serving simply as a cool project to practice skills.
