039 Can a QR Code Reader Help with Robot Localization on our PICO and MicroPython controlled Robot?

Based on viewer feedback, we are taking a look at the Tiny Code Reader from Useful Sensors for the purpose of helping with localization. Keeping track of where the Zoomie is within ZoomTown is critical as it is with most robotic applications. We will explore a lot of the details on how this sensor can help with localization.
#TinyCodeSensor #UsefulSensors
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Some of the technologies explored in this experiment include, but is certainly not limited to:
[*] Autonomous Robotics
[*] Photo reflective sensors
[*] Time of flight sensors
[*] Hall effect sensors
[*] Rotary encoders
[*] Odometry
[*] Line following
[*] Color recognition and detection sensor
[*] Automatic route planning
[*] Localization
[*] Robotic cars
[*] Dead Reckoning
#micropython #pico #Robotics

[@AppliedCryogenics]

This is very cool! I have had a couple ideas for localization that have been brought to various levels of completion, but this one seems much more repeatable and sophisticated. Idea #1: IR beacons around the room, transmitting unique codes modulated around ~38kHz (like a tv remote), robot perimeter has several radially-mounted IR receiver/demodulator.. (this worked, but the ratio of build effort to positional accuracy was very low!) Idea #2: high-speed floor-looking IR camera with optical flow (like in an optical mouse) ... never prototyped this, and instead got hung up on the need to determine rotation in addition to the usual XY translation.

[@MakingStuffwithChrisDeHut]

Sounds like you have had some fun with experimenting and exploring too!!! I'm not sure what will be the final solution in the ZoomTown experiment, but it sure is fun experimenting, exploring, and sharing the experience. Thanks for the feedback and sharing your experiences. Cheers! Chris

[@wktodd]

Try angling the camera and, if necessary, distoring the qrc to compensate for the angle . Another possibility is to use linear barcode encoding of your cross stripes (variable width of stripes) , that could be read with your existing sensors

[@MakingStuffwithChrisDeHut]

Thanks for the advice, I hope to get time to play with that some more in the following weeks. Cheers! Chris

[@SteveWoodgate]

Hi Chris Sorry QR Codes didn't pan out to be a complete solution for localization of the Zoomies. I don't want to send you off on any more wild goose chases but one other thought I had was printed rfid tags. They might have the same problem with the read speed and are probably too expensive for your experiment. However, there is a company here called Core Electronics who make a range of sensors called PiicoDev and they make an RFID Module. Perhaps this could be part of experiment number two. 🙂

[@MakingStuffwithChrisDeHut]

Good morning Steve! That was NOT A WILD GOOSE CHASE my friend, that was an incredible idea and suggestion and it is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!! I will look into that RFID sensor too. I did mess around with RFID and the PICO about 2 years ago. I bought a "kit" of tags and sensor off of Ali Express and that didn't work very well. But I am highly confident it had more to do what I got what I paid for. Also I will be responding to you contact-form question in a few minutes. Be sure to check your SPAM or JUNK folder, I suspect when I respond using that, my responses end up in those places. Cheers and thanks a bunch for you insight and suggestions! Chris