Infrared Control Freak 360 (IRCF360) is a 360 degree proximity sensor developed by ROBOTmaker.
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| Developer | ROBOTmaker |
|---|---|
| Type | Proximity sensor |
| Release date | 01 March 2012[1] |
| Introductory price | €$TBD |
| CPU | PIC16F88 8 MHz internal oscillator, 200 nanosecond instruction execution, 35 single word instructions,CMOS Flash-based 8-bit microcontroller packs Microchip’s powerful PIC® architecture into an 18-pin package, , a capture/compare/PWM, an Addressable USART, (I²C™) bus, 10-bit Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converter and 2 Comparators. [2] |
| Memory | 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory bytes |
| Power | 0.5 W (model A) |
| Website | www |
The IRCF360 is a single-board sensor developed by a Virtual team in many EU Countries by the ROBOTmaker. ROBOTmaker's goal is to provide low costs configurable sensors for use within maker and Art type of projects. Prices will be announced in due course.
The 360 degree sensor was originally designed as a short range micro robot proximity sensor and mainly intended for multi-robot / robot swarm simulations such as e.g. Jasmine Jasmine where 360 proximity sensing is required to avoid collision with other robots and for simple IR inter-robot communications.
The design was based on the former 180 degree sensor but with a higher focus on cost and ease of assembly to be more suitable for a wider target groups with limited or no experience with electronic soldering (e.g. kinetic artists, schools).
To overcome certain limitation with Infra-red (IR) proximity sensing (e.g. detection of dark surfaces) the sensing module also includes ambient light sensing and basic tactile sensing functionality during forward movement sensing/probing providing photovore and photophobe robot swarm behaviours and characteristics.
During the development it became apparent that the unique 360 sensing characteristics enabled it to be used as an independent sensor, such as:
- Touch-less control
- 3D HID device for computer gaming
- 3D Multi-touch control
- 3D graphics and CAD
- Gestural Control of Music e.g. ref Interactive Systems and Instrument Design in Music (ISIDM)
- 360 sensor for Kinetic artists
- 360 sensor for moving parts/arms
- 360 degree positioning within medium bore pipes
- Alternative input device for people with disabilities
References
- swarm robot Jasmine