Hi, I am using Ping2 echosounder mounted in forward direction and trying to avoid obstacle. Using Ardusub, Blue OS and QGC. Able to see Distance sensor readings in QGC. But the vehicle is not avoiding or stopping when the obstacle is detected. Does use of Ping 360 solves this problem? Please suggest. Thanks in advance
Hi @Raj -
Ardusub does not support automatic collision avoidance with the Ping2 or Ping360, sorry for the news! You may be able to develop such functionality with the Ping360, but the Ping2 only provides a depth and confidence value so this would be a much more limited data source, and so a much more challenging problem!
It is possible to use the Ping2 to follow the terrain vertically as the ROV drives forward, maintaining a consistent distance. This “Surface track” functionality is only available in the Beta version of Ardusub, is that the type of thing you’d like to do?
Hi @tony-white ,
Thanks. As automatic collision avoidance is necessary for my application, planning to buy Ping360 sensor. May i know how can i implement collision avoidance using Ping360.
I am not looking for “Surface track”, instead looking for automatic obstacle avoidance.
Hi @Raj -
You’d need to develop your own software to use the Ping360 to avoid obstacles - I’m not aware of any examples of doing this but it should be possible! Depending on your application, setting the scan to be only 90 or 180 degrees would give you a faster update rate in the direction you’re traveling, as opposed to sensing objects not in front of the vehicle. You can check out our Ping360 examples for an idea on how to read the data programatically.
Is the “surface track” feature only for vertical control?
Is it possible to maintain separation from the front wall, etc.?
If so, I would like to try the beta version!
Hi @FIN_TKG -
I believe surface track is intended only for vertical control at the moment. I’d bet it could be adapted for horizontal, wall following applications!