SpudFiles

update 11/02/2011:

Ghetto but working turret setup, not automatically targeting at this point but the hardware works


[youtube][/youtube]

update 21/06/2010:

More advanced mock-up with laser pointer

[youtube][/youtube]

update 05/05/2010:

I have all the software and hardware needed to make the turret operate, and here is a quick mockup in action:

[youtube][/youtube]

All that's left is to get the intended armament working reliably and putting it all together

There was a different one where the gun automatically aimed at anyone in its field of view and fired at them. I'll see if I can find some footage. It would be so cool to have enough skill to make this sorta stuff. Image a computer controlled Marble MG.

You mean these:

[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

Yeah, those are the ones. They're insane.
I want one.

This is not nearly as complex as this guys gun, but it still is pretty cool and easier to build.
link: http://www.unconventional-airsoft.com/p ... turret.php

Although I can't see the videos (my school internet connection blocks Youtube) i assume you are talking about a human controlled bb gun. You could do this by attaching a bb gun to either a security camera that can be moved in multiple directions or to a servo setup. The easier way would be the security camera set up as youd only have to sight it in. The servo setup could probably be built by someone who has experience in R/C plane and model building. If you mean to have a robotic setup it would be much harder (I do some amatuer robotics) but could probably be achieved through a PIC microcontroller with the right motorized setup and some darn good sensors or software. But, that type of software is highly advanced and (if it could be bought at all) would be uber expensive. Don't mean to sound like a smart ass or anything, sorry if I did. Spud

After a lot of MW2 gameplay, one of my favourite features is the sentry turrets:



I did some quick digging around and found this software/hardware package available for a mere $150. I'm fine with making the turret and obviously weapon myself, it was the software element that was putting me off but it seems all sorted out here and available for a reasonable price, what does the board think?

Yes, I'm really trying to distract myself from trying out the cartridge combustion

[youtube][/youtube]

http://www.paintballsentry.com

Yea, this guy's sentry system is, by far, the best and most developed.

hmmm it uses servos not step motors... how difficult would it be to convert it to step motors ?

Its actually not as complicated as it sounds.

Hardware is quite easy (if you went with a parallel port, RS232 would require an extra chip, USB even more chips).

Software is the major thing, It is difficult to pick out certain targets. I could do it if the target was against a white wall, but I would not know how to make it wok relaiblly with a background with multiple things.

rp181 wrote:Software is the major thing, It is difficult to pick out certain targets. I could do it if the target was against a white wall, but I would not know how to make it work relaiblly with a background with multiple things.

Have a look at these videos, it seems to be quite good at locating movement no matter what the background is. I'm going to get in touch with the guy and see what the options are.

hmmm it uses servos not step motors

I'm guessing it has to be like that since the point is to follow moving targets, not to get to a pre-set angle.

@jsr
I don't think there any difference between the two... meaning that technically they do the same thing

so ask him if it can be used with step motors... used ones are really really cheap

and AFAIK they are more powerful so you could build a sturdier turret and use heavier guns with it

Well, brand new servos aren't exactly expensive.

What I have in mind would be a high pressure BBMG (hit probability FTW ) so it wouldn't really be that heavy, basically barrel, valve and BB supply, the air can come from a remote line.

aren't exactly expensive

well yes but if they are limited to 180 deg only that means that either:
1. you've got limited field of fire
2. you've got limited accuracy

a small turret is going to be only slightly cheaper than a larger one... so why not spend that, let say, 20$ extra and build a turret that can be used with a lot of different guns ? uhmm at least that's teh way I would do it

hmm if you've got a solenoid valve then you only need two servos/step motors

POLAND_SPUD wrote:you've got limited field of fire

If I understood correctly the camera is fixed to the base, so your field of fire is limited to what the camera can see. If the camera is moving around the software can't tell between a moving target and the moving background.