Mark Crosbie decided he wanted to make a Lego version of Google’s Street View car, which he calls the Lego Street View Car, and it is capable of performing many of the functions of the much larger Google version.
The Lego Street View Car features an NXT brick, a dGPS sensor from Dexter Industries, and some other sensors and parts as well as four cameras to take the photos. Have a look at the video of it in action below.
It all started when I was playing with the dGPS sensor from Dexter Industries, and realized that if I combined this sensor with a robust chassis and a camera, then I’d have a LEGO version of the famous Google Street View car. And what if I could then upload the pictures into Google Earth….It all seemed so easy… How wrong I was!
Technical Specifications and Components
The Lego Street View Car is a marvel of miniaturized engineering. The NXT brick serves as the brain of the car, providing the computational power needed to process data from the various sensors. The dGPS sensor from Dexter Industries is crucial for navigation, allowing the car to determine its precise location. This sensor is highly accurate, making it possible for the Lego car to mimic the path of a real Google Street View car.
In addition to the dGPS sensor, the car is equipped with ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles and ensure smooth navigation. The four cameras mounted on the car are strategically placed to capture a 360-degree view, similar to the real Street View cars. These images can then be stitched together to create a panoramic view, which can be uploaded to Google Earth.
Challenges and Innovations
Creating the Lego Street View Car was not without its challenges. One of the primary difficulties was integrating all the components into a compact and functional design. The NXT brick, while powerful, has limited processing capabilities compared to the sophisticated systems used in Google’s cars. This meant that Mark had to optimize the software to ensure efficient performance.
Another challenge was the synchronization of the four cameras. Ensuring that all cameras captured images simultaneously required precise timing and coordination. Mark developed custom software to manage this synchronization, allowing the car to produce seamless panoramic images.
Moreover, the car’s navigation system had to be finely tuned to handle various terrains and obstacles. The ultrasonic sensors played a crucial role in this, providing real-time data to help the car avoid collisions and navigate complex environments.
Head on over to Mark Crosbie’s website for more details on his cool Lego Street View Car.
Source Make, The NXT Step
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