Andy Roid
I have read about many ways to develop Indoor Navigation. The Hardware recommended varies from an IPS system to a Lidar based system, even straight scripts, the use of cameras, Encoders and maybe even a compass. There are simple methods given in tutorials but they are not the "real" navigation wanted. Total confusion is what I end up with. I can see the validity of each device and even combinations of devices with added safety sensors such as drop off sensor, bumper sensors etc. Sophistication is needed but I end up with Mystification.
My main question is what works, is needed and makes sense? Anyone want to discuss this subject?
I know there are many who want to build the base for an Imoov or their favorite robot build or just get an Adventure Bot to travel throughout the house using a single verbal command. I would.
If Dj wants to do a Hack Night on this subject I think many would be interested.
Got it !
Thanks,
Ron
Well sadly the truth hurts.... Wasn't being crude, just a realist... I will give you that ROS is not the future of DYI robot programming.... It's seriously complicated with a steep learning curve... What Windows did for the PC (making PCs so that average person can use them, not just the super smart), something is still needed to make robots more accessible for average people to use and program.... EZ Robot "is/was" filling that role. @DJ do you still own the rights to ARC or did you lose it in the divorce (-:? Maybe we can keep this "train" a rolling....
@DJ:
ASFAIK the IPS is a IR beacon with a IR Camera, so each IPS device will tell you if the Bot/Beacon is in the room and if is visible and not hide behind an obstacle and only then you have the X / Y beacon position in a Picture. So you will need multiple IPS devices hanged to the walls, furniture or ceiling spread around the house/apartment, plus power cables. You will need to explain your family members why there are cameras everywhere (privacy issues) and then you need to calibrate the sensors X / Y to distances.IR beacons are prone to daylight interference so you need to close some blinds to avoid the daylight e.g. windows / balconies etc.
Only after you wire all the sensors, you need to script all the positions / distances.
So basically you gave up your privacy, and you live like a Vampire (no daylight)...(exaggerating)
Is this simple and reliable or am i missing something ?
Why IR beacons, how is different from a camera with robot/object tracking ?
I don't like it personally but until something else comes along, ROS and slam are pretty much still the only game in town for effective indoor navigation....
Wavefront is a cheap alternative for indoor navigation. There is a plugin from rz90208 but it is incompleet. ptp you have the skills to develop such a plugin.
Oh forgot to show you the RealSense Tracking Camera from Intel. I want one asap! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NonBlt-wKCI
I'm definitely interested in this conversation
I know there are a few different Indoor navigation products out there now that can be purchased at robot shop. Some use Ultrasonic sensors that communicate with each other. Others use an Infrared patterns on the ceiling. These systems don't use ROS but are involved to set up in their own right. By contrast, with the Synthiam IPS Reference Design it's as simple as plugging in a USB device and clicking a mouse. I sincerely hope the project will be made by ezrobot or other partner company, as it is so easy to use. While the technology for those systems I mentioned are very cool, it's the cost that is the biggest detriment. If produced, the IPS reference design would likely be the most cost effective solution on the market.
@Ptp I can speak a bit on how it works in the practical sense. Since it's Infrared based it can be disrupted by direct sunlight but isn't effected much by reflected sunlight. The image contrast can be adjusted manually to block false positives. It also has a pretty dark daylight filter on the Infrared camera side to block as much daylight as possible. The IPS itself can be placed on a wall and aimed toward the floor which will cut out the majority of any infrared interference that could possibly get picked up. Using it with the curtains open shouldn't be a big deal as long as you don't have many shiny reflective items on the ground level. Yay! You don't have to be a Vampire!
You are correct in saying that you would need one IPS per area if you would like to have full coverage. Full coverage would likely only be feasible with an on-board system.
In terms of getting trapped under obstacles, you would just have to map out your robot's path ahead of time with the app to avoid those kind of areas.
As for privacy, I am certain the IPS could be used without the real-time camera if needed. Really, once set up in a permanent location the IPS could simply use a screenshot for the real time image, the navigation is all done with the Infrared camera so essentially the real-time camera could be turned off. I don't believe that functionality exists in the app but I'm sure that this kind of feature could be explored.
In the case of the IPS, the IR beacon is used because it is tiny and can still be picked up from upward of 16 feet away. Object/glyph/color recognition is much harder to do at this kind of range, unless you have a huge glyph/color sample.
Rovio robot used the same concept with it's north star beacons. Jeremie have you seen the video I posted about the new Intel camera? What do you think?