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Using the Vision Sensor

The Builder in each group should get the hardware required. The Recorder should get the group’s engineering notebook. The Programmer should open VEXcode IQ.

Materials Required:
Quantity Materials Needed
1

VEX IQ Super Kit
1

VEXcode IQ
1

Engineering Notebook
1

Configuring the Vision Sensor (Tutorial)
1

Tuning the Vision Sensor (Tutorial)
1

Detecting Objects example project

This activity will give you the tools to use the Vision Sensor.

You can use the Help information inside of VEXcode IQ learn about the blocks. For guidance in using the Help feature, see the Using Help tutorial.

VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the Tutorials icon called out in a red box, to the right of the File menu.

Step 1:  Preparing for the activity

Before you begin the activity, do you have each of these items ready? The Builder should check each of the following:

  • Are all the motors and sensors plugged into the correct port?

  • Are the smart cables fully inserted into all of the motors and sensors?

  • Is the Brain turned on?

  • Is the battery charged?

Step 2:  Open an Example Project.

  • VEXcode IQ  contains many different example projects. You’ll use one of them in this exploration. For help and tips on using example projects, check out the Using Examples and Templates tutorial.

    VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the Tutorials icon called out in a red box, to the right of the File menu.

Then, open the Detecting Objects example project.

VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the File menu open, and Open Examples selected with a red box. 'Open Examples' is the fourth item in the menu.

The Programmer should complete the following steps:

  • Open the File menu.
  • Select Open Examples.

  • Use the filter bar at the top of the application and select "Sensing."

    Example project selection window with the Sensing filter at the top highlighted with a red box and sensing project icons shown below.

  • Select and open the Detecting Objects example project.

    Example project icon reads Detecting Objects at the bottom and shows a robot icon with a sensor to the left and a sketch indicating detection to the right.

  • Save your project as Detecting Objects.

    Project name dialog box in the VEXcode IQ Toolbar. Slot 1 is selected and the project name reads Detecting Objects.

  • Check to make sure the project name Detecting Objects is now in the window in the center of the toolbar.

  • For addition help, view the Use Example Projects and Templates tutorial video.

    VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the Tutorials icon called out in a red box, to the right of the File menu.

Step 3: Configuring and Using the Vision Sensor

  • Begin by watching the Configuring the Vision Sensor tutorial video.

  • Next, configure the Vision Sensor for three colored objects: red, green, and blue.

    Vision Sensor configuration window shows an image of a hand holding a red cube to the left, with an overlay on the cube and the words REDBOX and W142 H142 above it. To the right, 3 Color signatures are set for BlueBox, Redbox, and Greenbox.

  • Have the Programmer open the previously saved Detecting Objects example project.

    Example project icon reads Detecting Objects at the bottom and shows a robot icon with a sensor to the right, and indicates detection to the right.

  • What is this project actually doing? Predict what the Autopilot will do and have the Recorder write down the predictions in your engineering notebook.

    Start of the Detecting Objects VEXcode IQ project is shown. To the left the project begins with a When started block with a forever block attached. Within the Forever block are commands to clear all rows and set the cursor to row 1 column 1, with a comment to Detect Blue and take a snapshot of Bluebox. Next is an if then block with the condition set to Vision12 object exists then print blue object found, else print no blue object. To the right a note reads "this project will detect 3 different colored objects and display when each object is found on the IQ Brain's screen.

  • Have the Driver Download and Run the project. Have the Builder place different colored objects in front of the Vision Sensor and observe the robot's behavior. Have the Recorder record in your engineering notebook how your prediction was different or correct compared to what you actually observed from the project.

    For additional help, view the Download and Run a Project tutorial video.

    VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the Tutorials icon called out in a red box, to the right of the File menu.

Step 4:  Tuning the Vision Sensor

Often times an object is configured to be recognized by the Vision Sensor in one environment, for example, in a classroom. When the Vision Sensor is then taken into a different environment such as a competition setting, the object may not be recognized by the Vision Sensor. This is often due to a change in lighting after the Vision Sensor has already been configured. To solve this problem, you may have to tune your Vision Sensor.

  • Begin by watching the Tuning the Vision Sensor tutorial video.

  • Next, Tune the Vision Sensor for the three colored objects: red, green, and blue.

    Vision Sensor configuration window with a hand holding a red cube with an overlay over the cube and text reading redbox and x84 y 28 then w 158 h 166. To the right Bluebox, Redbox, and Greenbox color signatures are set with a slider highlighted in a red box with the dial set to 4.4.

  • Have the Programmer open the previously saved Detecting Objects example project.

    Example project icon reading Detecting Objects on the bottom showing a robot icon with a sensor icon and indicating detection to the right.

  • How will tuning the Vision Sensor affect how well it can detect objects? Have the Builder take the Autopilot to a different part of the room with more or less light.

    Autopilot with the Vision Sensor sitting on IQ Field, with the Vision Sensor facing the green cube.

  • Have the Driver Download and Run the project. Have the Builder place different colored objects in front of the Vision Sensor and observe the robot's behavior. Have the Recorder document in your engineering notebook how well the Vision Sensor detects objects. Does the Vision Sensor need tuned after it changed locations?

    For additional help, view the Download and Run a Project tutorial video.

    VEXcode IQ Toolbar with the Tutorials icon called out in a red box, to the right of the File menu.

  • Tune the Vision Sensor as necessary. Test the Vision Sensor after it has been tuned to determine if it can detect objects better and make adjustments as needed.
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