Gesture Sensor

Proximity Sensor instructions

The sensor is also a "proximity" sensor which indicates if there is an object near the sensor, with a value representing the distance.

You might consider using this in a Bittle Arduino sketch to avoid bumping into walls, for example.

To demonstrate the proximity function:

• File ... Examples ... Examples from Custom Libraries ...Arduino_APDS990 ... Proximity Sensor

• Compile and Upload the sketch

• In the Serial Monitor, change the baud rate to 9600.

• Move you hand in front of the sensor and observe the value of the proximity sensor.

  • What number indicates the closest distance to the sensor?

  • The farthest? (How far is that distance?)

• Try the other examples from the Arduino_APDS990 library.
  This sensor can also detect the color of an object in front of it.

  • Maybe you have some ideas for a Bittle project that uses this sensor?

Gesture Sensor with OpenCat

As we've been creating Mind+ programs, the Bittle has been running the OpenCat firmware.
In fact, OpenCat is an Arduino sketch. It's open source, so you can download it and modify it.

It's a very complex Arduino sketch compared to the gesture examples we've seen so far.
But, you can easily check it out:

• Go to the OpenCat github page: https://github.com/PetoiCamp/OpenCat.

• Click on the "Code" button and "Download ZIP" and save the OpenCat-main.zip file

• Unzip the file

• Change the folder name from OpenCat-main to OpenCat.

• Arduino IDE: File ... Open. Navigate to the OpenCat folder you just downloaded and unzipped and select OpenCat.ino.

• Change the following line:
  //#define GESTURE  //for Gesture module
  to
  #define GESTURE  //for Gesture module

  • The  "//" characters make the line a comment, not code. Removing the "//" makes the line code by "uncommenting" it.

• Make sure your Bittle is in a secure place with some room to move, as the OpenCat sketch with the gesture sensor enabled
  will cause it to move!

• Arduino IDE: Sketch ... Upload
  to compile and upload the OpenCat sketch. 

• In the Serial Monitor, change the baud rate to 115200

• Try up, down, left, right gestures.

• The remote control that is included with the Bittle kit works with the OpenCat sketch.
  Place your Bittle on the floor in an open space. Try all the buttons. Careful: Some of the buttons
  will make Bittle trot/walk/run away from you!
  And, all the remote controls are the same, so find your own place to experiment.
  Do not aim your remote control at someone else's Bittle or chaos will ensue! :-)

• You can also use the Petoi App on your Android or iOS smartphone.
  Details: [https://docs.petoi.com/mobile-app/introduction]

• How does this gesture code work? You can read it by adding a file to the Arduino IDE.
  Sketch ... Add File ... src ... gesture.h
  (Note that the OpenCat folder includes many source code files -- these are all compiled to build the "firmware."
  You'll see "gesture.h" in another tab in the Arduino IDE. Click on the "gesture.h" tab. Like this:

Modify gesture.h - Advanced activity!

If you some Arduino coding experience, you might want to try to modify gesture.h.

You might want to change the tones associated with the gestures.

You can change the Skills (motions) for the gestures.
For example, GESTURE_UP runs the "High five" skill with this code:
tQueue->addTask('k', "fiv", 2000);
Refer to https://docs.petoi.com/apis/serial-protocol to learn the commands for the other Skills included in OpenCat.