Automated Ball Launcher with Dynamic Player Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated ball launching systems for sports training are inefficient due to their lack of operational flexibility and require extensive configuration, making them cumbersome for frequent use in ball sports like basketball.
Innovation Solution
An automated ball launching system with a ball support, positioning subsystem, launcher, and control subsystem that can detect the position of a player and adjust the launch direction and trajectory to project balls efficiently, using actuators, motors, and a computing device to automate the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If current automated ball launching systems are used, then ball collection and return is automated, but the system requires extensive configuration and lacks operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a movable platform that can dynamically reposition itself to different locations around the court, allowing the ball launcher to adapt to various training positions and scenarios without requiring manual reconfiguration of fixed installations
2Extent of automation
If current automated ball launching systems are used, then ball return is automated, but the system is cumbersome for frequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates autonomous navigation capabilities where the movable platform automatically positions itself and operates the ball launcher without human intervention, performing setup, execution, and cleanup functions autonomously to simplify frequent use
3Productivity
If manual ball collection is required, then training interruptions occur, but automated systems require extensive configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The movable platform serves multiple functions including transportation, positioning, and supporting the ball launcher mechanism, consolidating what would otherwise require separate complex systems into a single multi-functional unit that simplifies overall configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An automated ball launching system is described. The system includes a ball support configured to releasably support a ball in a launch position; a positioning subsystem configured to set a launch direction for the ball; a launcher configured to project the ball in the launch direction from the launch position; and a control subsystem connected to the positioning subsystem and the launcher. The control subsystem is configured to: determine a position of a player relative to the ball launching system; control the positioning subsystem to set the launch direction based on the position of the player; and control the launcher to project the ball in the launch direction.