Foamland Security: Sibling-Proof Your Stuff With A Nerf Sentry Gun

Robotics Technology
Foamland Security: Sibling-Proof Your Stuff With A Nerf Sentry Gun
Jason_Mechatronic’s Robotic Nerf Gun uses two motion sensors and servo motors to track targets while another pair of servo motors operates the trigger.
Jason_Mechatronic’s Robotic Nerf Gun uses two motion sensors and servo motors to track targets while another pair of servo motors operates the trigger.

No matter how many ‘Do Not Enter’ signs that were taped to the door or how many traps were laid, our siblings still entered our rooms and caused chaos any chance they could. While violence is frowned upon in most societies, sometimes an upgrade in firepower is the answer to keep unruly guests at bay. In this case, maker Jason_Mechatronic’s Robotic Nerf Gun can handle that job well even when you’re not at home!

Nerf turret in action
Nerf turret in action

His Robotic Nerf Gun looks and functions similar to those automated sentry guns found in a host of sci-fi movies such as Aliens movie and Congo, however instead of shooting bullets or lasers it fires Nerf Elite Darts instead. Jason started his build with what looks to be Nerf’s N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 Blaster, which holds 18 of those non-lethal darts per clip.

Powering the Robotic Nerf Gun is a series of servo motors and motion sensors all plugged into a controller board.
Powering the Robotic Nerf Gun is a series of servo motors and motion sensors all plugged into a controller board.

He mounted the gun on a rotating wooden turret base actuated by a servo motor. He then hot-glued two additional servos to the gun- one to charge the weapons flywheel (power mechanism) and one to depress the trigger.

The motion sensors are mounted to the base for an unobstructed view of the guns surroundings.
The motion sensors are mounted to the base for an unobstructed view of the guns surroundings.

To maintain full ‘view’ of its surroundings, Jason installed two motion sensors (positioned at 450) on the edge of the rotating platform, which monitors movement and responds accordingly.

Component layout
Component layout

Jason got all the electronics for his Nerf build from Qfusion Labs, which also provided him with a visual software platform he used to program visual tracking and the guns firing sequence. To see the whole build process for Jason’s Robotic Nerf Gun head over to Imgur.

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