Design and Construction of an Autonomous Sentry Turret Utilising Computer Vision

Abstract: The design and manufacture of a sentry gun turret capable of accurately and rapidly tracking and shooting moving targets was a challenging task that required delving into various engineering disciplines. This bachelor's thesis explores this challenge by presenting the process of construction, as well as the performance results of a turret created using a combination of 3D printing, laser cutting, and metal workshop manufacturing. The subject was chosen to include different aspects of the engineering fields relating to mechatronics, and for the challenge of implementing and designing multiple systems that interconnect to effectively engage with a target. The turret was created as a two-axis robot driven by stepper motors, with a gun driven by compressed air firing 6 mm plastic airsoft pellets using a clocked timing mechanism for rapid automatic firing. It was controlled by a system separated into two parts: a PC running facial recognition and colour identification software as well as performing movement calculations through python and an Arduino micro-computer running C++ controlling stepper motors and other hardware. The turret can accurately identify a target within five meters and with great speed home in and fire at the target with significant power.