2D Movement Tracking

Using Arduino Sensors
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I want to learn more about 2d movement tracking using arduino. I read a few discussions that include using either ultrasonic sensors, IR beacons, cameras, or GPS. These are interesting projects but they include placing the sensors around the selected area which I do not want to do, or have poor precision (at least according to what i read).

My idea is to put a tracking sensor on a remote controlled car. It will track all its movements and save the information. When i press a button, it should return to its original position in the same way it move there (reversed of course). I read one which used an accelerometer and gyroscope to track its position but i also read a comment saying commercial accelerometers and gyroscopes have a problem in tracking. I am not sure of this though. Perhaps you have a workaround or something.

The device should be able to track the movement within an area of at least 3mx3m.
I would like to know all my options before buying the sensors.
I guess my question is, what sensor would be best for my intended purpose?

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With what positional resolution?

In general, "indoor localization" is quite a difficult problem if the tracking device is in the object. IMUs are useless for this, but an overhead camera works very well.

UWB beacons work second best, but the positional resolution is limited to about +/- 10 cm .

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That's a bummer. I would really prefer IMU since it does not require me to set up a camera to the location. I'll have a look at UWB beacons though. Maybe its a good enough alternative.

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That is a lot of stuff to add to your remote control car. Are you going to store all the information on an SD card? Do you already have a proper Arduino controlling the car? Is there room to add a bunch of new sensors and the sd card?

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The RC car has a lot of space. I don't think i'm gonna have a problem with the space. And yes, i thought of putting an SD card for data storage. I'm open to suggestions though, since i'm just trying to learn here.

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Trying stuff is a great way to learn! Have you learned to operate and program for all the devices you mentioned?

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Add one feature to your vehicle at a time, like roaming with obstacle avoidance using ultrasonic sensors, and get it work satisfactorily before moving on. That is relatively easy to do, but still a great learning experience, and builds confidence. Wall following is another useful feature, with different challenges.

As already stated, motion tracking is a very difficult and technically advanced task, not at all suitable for beginners.

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I actually did a few projects before with the RC car. I made a bluetooth controlled one, an obstacle sensing one, a line follower, and i've also tried for wifi control. I'm not that great at programming but examples on libraries and chatgpt helped a lot when it comes to coding.

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I did learn how to operate a few of them. I do try to read a lot about the sensors before using it. Its just that in this project, i have no idea which sensor to use. When it comes to programming, I usually check and understand how to code through the example sketches provided by the libraries or examples from similar projects.

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If indoor tracking were easy, there would be countless tutorials and various cheap tracking modules available to buy on line.

If your searches turn up nothing, take that as a strong hint.

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You need to try out each and every thing you have read about each sensor. Only then can you consider how it might work in your project.

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