Total & full instructions and software to build your very own, fully automated and fully autonomous, sentry gun / turret / waterpistol / teddybear dispenser.

Counter Strike

I wanted to make one of these for a long time. The problem was that there were no reasonable tutorials or guides on how to proceed. Additionally I am not a programmer by a long shot so the software was also a problem. This was actually the biggest problem, there was no type of software available at all.

First I looked at all the hardware that would be able to deliver the best possible result in terms of accuracy and reasonably easy to assemble without all sorts of intermediary solutions. Also it had to be versatile and be able to be connected to a large number of different actuators/servos and types of these. This also meant that the camera, computer, and servo controller were looked at, their all scalable and readily available.

Having found all the proper hardware that let me upgrade and professionalize the system if I wanted to I set about putting the system together.

So the version you see on the first page is the second one I made. I chose to attach a laser pointer to be able to see if it was accurate enough for me, it is, now I just have to figure out what I want to attach to it now and how big to make it. To get back to the software there was no solution available as mentioned. So I set out to get help in developing the software. First I looked up an open source motion detection software that would give the possibility for further development but also would give the position of moving objects in the screen. This software was attached to a servo control example that was improved. Now the motion detection software could communicate with the software. Then we made shooting rules and some other adjustments. Rocking props for the people that made the open source motion detection and servo control example. Additionally a massively big thank you to the person that helped me in compiling the software, you know who you are.

Full size

If you’re like me and wanted to make one of these you would probably ran into the same issues I have. So to help all you poor suckers out the software we developed is open source and freely available on the website. The only reservation we have is that you make it a point not to hurt anyone or anything, we take no responsibility for anything.

The point of making it open source is to encourage joint development of the software and hardware possibilities.

If you follow the instructions properly you will end up with exactly what you wanted. After collecting all the hardware you will probably spend a long weekend putting it together. It doesn’t take a genius but it helps to be able to solder and do some basic handcrafts.

And do us a favour, document your project and send us pictures, specs and software additions so others can learn from it.