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Lasers Projects

Margate games: locating bullets with sound

I’ve been working on a system that uses microphones to locate where a bullet has hit the wall, so that I can make a digital firing range using lasers and Nerf guns. Since I posted last, I’ve been thinking more about the history of arcades, first with traditional manned side-shows, and then in the 80s with the advent of computer game arcades.

I’m thinking that I could join all of these up to the present day – I’m planning on making a shooting game with 80s style laser projected asteroids that break apart when you hit them. I’m also thinking that a laser coconut shy is a ridiculously good idea that I can’t resist building.

I know I promised that I would explain my alternative bullet locating system that uses infrared lasers, but I’m holding off on that. In the last post I explained how I’m using piezo microphones to locate where the hit occurred. It’s a fragile system, and I honestly never expected it to work, but to my astonishment I’ve been getting some good results. Check out this video:

I’m going to keep the infrared laser solution as a plan B, but for now I’m optimistic about this sonic detection system.

This post first published on the Margate Games blog February 2014