practical-tutorials / practical-tutorials/project-based-learning

Ball Balancing Robot(PyCharm)

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Dominant language
Python
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Description

import cv2
import numpy as np
import serial
import time
import math

=== CONFIG ===

SERIAL_PORT = 'COM3'
BAUD_RATE = 9600
FRAME_WIDTH, FRAME_HEIGHT = 640, 480
MAX_ANGLE_CHANGE = 25

=== COLOR RANGE ===

lower_ball = np.array([10, 100, 70]) # Orange ball
upper_ball = np.array([25, 255, 255])

lower_disc = np.array([35, 40, 40]) # Green disc
upper_disc = np.array([85, 255, 255])

=== ARUCO ===

aruco_dict = cv2.aruco.getPredefinedDictionary(cv2.aruco.DICT_4X4_50)
aruco_params = cv2.aruco.DetectorParameters()

=== SERVO CENTER ANGLES ===

CENTER_ANGLES = [60, 75, 60]

=== PD CONSTANTS ===

Kp = 0.4
Kd = 0.20

PD state

prev_dx, prev_dy = 0, 0
prev_time = time.time()

Connect to Arduino

arduino = serial.Serial(SERIAL_PORT, BAUD_RATE)
time.sleep(2)

Start webcam

cap = cv2.VideoCapture(2)

def get_servo_angles(dx, dy, ddx, ddy):
dx /= (FRAME_WIDTH / 2)
dy /= (FRAME_HEIGHT / 2)
ddx /= (FRAME_WIDTH / 2)
ddy /= (FRAME_HEIGHT / 2)

# Apply PD control
control_x = Kp * dx + Kd * ddx
control_y = Kp * dy + Kd * ddy

angle1 = CENTER_ANGLES[0] + (-control_x * math.cos(math.radians(0)) - control_y * math.sin(math.radians(0))) * MAX_ANGLE_CHANGE
angle2 = CENTER_ANGLES[1] + (-control_x * math.cos(math.radians(120)) - control_y * math.sin(math.radians(120))) * MAX_ANGLE_CHANGE
angle3 = CENTER_ANGLES[2] + (-control_x * math.cos(math.radians(240)) - control_y * math.sin(math.radians(240))) * MAX_ANGLE_CHANGE

return int(angle1), int(angle2), int(angle3)

while True:
ret, frame = cap.read()
if not ret:
break

frame = cv2.resize(frame, (FRAME_WIDTH, FRAME_HEIGHT))
frame = cv2.flip(frame, 1)
hsv = cv2.cvtColor(frame, cv2.COLOR_BGR2HSV)

# ===== 1. Detect ArUco Marker =====
gray = cv2.cvtColor(frame, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)
corners, ids, _ = cv2.aruco.detectMarkers(gray, aruco_dict, parameters=aruco_params)

center_x, center_y = FRAME_WIDTH // 2, FRAME_HEIGHT // 2  # fallback

if corners:
    c = corners[0][0]
    center_x = int(np.mean(c[:, 0]))
    center_y = int(np.mean(c[:, 1]))
    cv2.polylines(frame, [c.astype(int)], True, (255, 0, 255), 2)
    cv2.circle(frame, (center_x, center_y), 5, (255, 0, 255), -1)
    cv2.putText(frame, "Aruco", (center_x + 10, center_y), cv2.FONT_HERSHEY_SIMPLEX, 0.5, (255, 0, 255), 1)

# ===== 2. Disc Detection =====
disc_mask = cv2.inRange(hsv, lower_disc, upper_disc)
disc_mask = cv2.morphologyEx(disc_mask, cv2.MORPH_OPEN, np.ones((5, 5), np.uint8))

disc_contours, _ = cv2.findContours(disc_mask, cv2.RETR_EXTERNAL, cv2.CHAIN_APPROX_SIMPLE)
valid_area_mask = np.zeros_like(disc_mask)

if disc_contours:
    largest_disc = max(disc_contours, key=cv2.contourArea)
    cv2.drawContours(frame, [largest_disc], -1, (0, 255, 255), 2)
    cv2.drawContours(valid_area_mask, [largest_disc], -1, 255, -1)

# ===== 3. Ball Detection =====
ball_mask = cv2.inRange(hsv, lower_ball, upper_ball)
ball_mask = cv2.bitwise_and(ball_mask, ball_mask, mask=valid_area_mask)
ball_mask = cv2.erode(ball_mask, None, iterations=2)
ball_mask = cv2.dilate(ball_mask, None, iterations=2)

ball_contours, _ = cv2.findContours(ball_mask, cv2.RETR_EXTERNAL, cv2.CHAIN_APPROX_SIMPLE)

if ball_contours:
    c = max(ball_contours, key=cv2.contourArea)
    ((x, y), radius) = cv2.minEnclosingCircle(c)

    if radius > 8:
        cv2.circle(frame, (int(x), int(y)), int(radius), (0, 255, 0), 2)
        dx = x - center_x
        dy = y - center_y

        # PD derivative calculation
        current_time = time.time()
        dt = current_time - prev_time if current_time != prev_time else 1e-3
        ddx = (dx - prev_dx) / dt
        ddy = (dy - prev_dy) / dt

        # Get new servo angles
        angle1, angle2, angle3 = get_servo_angles(dx, dy, ddx, ddy)
        print(f"Ball: ({int(x)}, {int(y)}) Δx: {int(dx)} Δy: {int(dy)} | Angles: {angle1}, {angle2}, {angle3}")
        arduino.write(f"{angle1},{angle2},{angle3}\n".encode())

        # Update previous for next frame
        prev_dx, prev_dy = dx, dy
        prev_time = current_time

cv2.imshow("Balancing Bot", frame)
if cv2.waitKey(1) & 0xFF == 27:
    break

cap.release()
arduino.close()
cv2.destroyAllWindows()

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

The issue contains a standalone Python script but names no repository file, test, or requested change. Start by clarifying whether this is intended as a project addition, then inspect the OpenCV camera and ArUco detection entry points alongside the Arduino serial connection. Completion criteria are not defined in the issue.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
numpy, opencv, python
Domain
computer-vision, embedded-iot, robotics
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
18/100

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