This IR compound eye (comes fully assembled) when mounted on a pan and tilt assembly can be used by a robot to track movement within 200mm. 4 pairs of IR photo transistors and 4x IR LEDs allow your robot to measure both ambient and reflected IR. It can also be used as a simple range finder.
Designed to fit universal sensor bracket, this sensor works by shinning IR light onto an object and then tracking the reflected IR.
IR tracking system which is really a simple 4 element compound eye. Compound eyes are found in Arthropods such as insects. They are of relatively low resolution compared to the human eye but more responsive to movement. Unlike Insect eyes, my design includes it’s own light source and is blinded by excess ambiant IR making them better suited to indoor and nocturnal activities.
The eye consist of 4 IR LEDs and 4 pairs of photo transistors. The phototransistor pairs are connected in parallel to increase their sensitivity. The phototransistor pairs are then connected to your analog inputs the same way you would connect an LDR. This circuit is really 4 FritsLDRs but using phototransistors instead of LDRs. The main reason for this is that the lens on the phototransistors makes them more sensitive to light directly in front of them and because LDRs are very slow to respond to changes in light.
Note: calibration is not normally required, heatshrink is provided fo those who wish to fine tune their eye. A black permanent marker can also be used. Incorrect application can reduce the range of the eye.
Example of the compound eye mounted on a robot. An IR compound eye mounted on a pan/tilt assembly can be used to track moving objects or as a simple range finder. IR sensors on the corners can detect obstacles or edges.
Video of IR Compound in action
Follow instructions below to calibrate the IR compound eye. Please ignore the assembly instructions as the unit comes preassembled.
