Ball detection + driving towards the ball..

I am working on a tennis ball picker. Where i will modify a standard ball picking machine, although i will add motors and a camera... I want to detect green tennis balls, drive towards it until i pick it up without hitting the net...

Any suggestions with :

  • Video Capture
  • Video Processing for ball detection
  • Algorithms
  • Drive logic
  • Etc...

SUPER WELCOMED! I am more interested in the video processing and picking logic+algorithm than the drive and other issues.

Thank you in advance!

Any suggestions with :

  • Video Capture
  • Video Processing for ball detection

Yes. Don't try doing it with an Arduino. Get something capable of running software like OpenCV (http://opencv.willowgarage.com/wiki/) and then use that to drive the Arduino.

What would you suggest i use as the main image processor? Android?

That's one choice. A Beaglebone (BeagleBoard.org - bone) is another option.

A smartphone (Android or iPhone) with a camera would be a good choice.

I couldn't figure out why the ball was getting bigger...Then it hit me!