Sensors , Hitec Robonova Distance Sensor and Ultrasonic sensor

[BrandonG32]

Hey guys, I got a couple of questions. One on the Devantech SRF05 Ultrasonic Range Sensor. I've used the Sharp IR sensors. They work well in perfectly aligned situations, but once the object is slanted, I receive inaccurate readings from the sensor. For example if I have a robotic hand coming in on an angle of a object, it will not read correctly. I would like to use a Ultrasonic Range sensor. Will this be more beneficial to me by using this sensor in place of the IR sensor. I will need precise readings from different dimmensions, not just straight forward.

Also, has the Hitec Robonova Distance Sensor been discontinued? If so where could I purchase on of them. I would like to use this as a proximity sensor. I don't want to touch the object but would like to sense that it is there.

Thanks,
Brandon

[Alex]

They work well in perfectly aligned situations, but once the object is slanted, I receive inaccurate readings from the sensor.That's probably the most common problem that people run into with IR sensors. An Ultrasonic Range Sensor would work with slanted surfaces, but I don't believe you get the accuracy as you do with an IR sensor. I'm no where near an expert in this area though, so hopefully someone else can chime in with some details.



has the Hitec Robonova Distance Sensor been discontinued?I don't believe so, but I'd email Jen (http://www.trossenrobotics.com/contact.aspx) to be sure. We should be carrying them soon:

http://www.trossenrobotics.com/hitec-robonova-distance-sensor.aspx

Keep in mind though that this is an IR sensor as well, so you'll be running into the same problems as you mentioned.