Vision Robotics
Build a robot camera that tracks a ball on its own.
Students build a camera on two servos that follows a ping pong ball using computer vision (OpenCV and YOLO AI), mounted on a 3D-printed bracket they design themselves in Tinkercad.
Vision Robotics · what they build
A camera that finds the ball, and follows it
Two servos aim a webcam. Computer vision (OpenCV + YOLO AI) spots the ball in every frame, and the Arduino turns the servos to keep it centered. Students build the whole thing, including the orange mount they design and 3D-print.
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Move your mouse here to move the ballTap to move the ball
- Pan servo
- 90°
- Tilt servo
- 90°
- YOLO sees
- searching…
Day by day
What your child will build
Day 1
Arduino, servos, and 3D design in Tinkercad
Day 2
Computer vision with OpenCV and YOLO AI
Day 3
Put it all together and demo for parents
Included
What's included
- USB webcam (yours to keep)
- Extra servo for the pan-tilt mount
- Custom 3D-printed mount your child designs
- Small group, max 10 students
- Parent demo on Day 3
Arduino kit required (yours to keep)
Purchase one from our team for $30 when you register, or purchase your own Arduino starter kit on Amazon before camp (usually a bit more expensive). One kit covers both Thanksgiving camps.
Bring a Windows or Mac laptop.
Chromebooks and iPads will not work because they can't run the Arduino and Python software we use. School-issued laptops often block installs, so check before camp.
Before Day 1 checklist
- A Windows or Mac laptop with its charger. Chromebooks and iPads will NOT work.
- Install Arduino IDE 2 (free) from arduino.cc/en/software before Day 1.
- Install Python 3 from python.org. We set up OpenCV and YOLO together in class.
- Create a free Tinkercad account at tinkercad.com (a parent may need to help if your child is under 13).
- Make sure you can install software on the laptop (school-issued laptops often block this).
- Arduino starter kit (purchased from our team, or your own from Amazon).
- Water bottle and a snack.