Developer ROBOTmaker Introductory price €$TBD | Release date 1 March 2012 | |
Type Proximity sensor / Motion Sensor / Human interface device CPU Microchip 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. Memory 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory bytes | ||
The Sensorium Project was initiated by ROBOTmaker to broaden the IRCF360 sensor's audience beyond its typical robot sensor usage.
To demonstrate the BETA functionality, ROBOTmaker uses opensource Java based Integrated Development Environments (IDE) such as Arduino and Processing (programming language) and has released all the prototyping sketches on their website for advanced developers to expand the functionality and write their own Java interface apps. They also provide a low cost self-assembly PCB kit to allow developers to make a sensor and to reprogramme the embedded micro-controller with own firmware if desired.
The sensor is based on ROBOTmaker's Infrared Control Freak 360 (IRCF360) which is a 360 degree proximity sensor and a motion sensing devices, developed by ROBOTmaker. Their goal is to provide low costs configurable sensors & solutions for use within technical projects such as maker and Maker Faire type projects, micro robotic, kinetic art / art, crafts, engineering, science, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset and alternative music type of projects.
360 degree sensor / 3D Motion sensor / HID device
During the development phase, it became apparent that the unique features of the 360 sensor also enabled it to be used as an independent 3D motion sensor for use within many other 3D computer applications. It is connected to a PC via the USB port. The device can be configured as a joystick, keyboard, mouse or midi device, for example in 3D applications, gaming applications and as an alternative Human interface device HID for people with disabilities - enabling a wide range of users to control and interact with the PC/MAC/Tablet/SmartPhone without the need to touch a game controller or screen, using a more natural user interface through finger gestures. It works also well together with Windows7 and the voice recognition or together with other HID devices to reduce non-value added mouse movements.
Examples of use are:
A project named Sensorium Project was started aimed at broadening the Sensors audience beyond its typical robot sensor usage. To Demonstrate the BETA functionality, ROBOTmaker uses opensource Java based Integrated Development Environments (IDE) such as Arduino and Processing (programming language) and has released all the prototyping sketches on their website for advanced developers to expand the functionality and write their own Java interface apps. They also provide a low cost self-assembly PCB kit to allow developers to make a sensor and to reprogrammed the embedded micro-controller with own firmware if desired.,