We’ve seen a proliferation of real-life video game builds lately, but this one is a jaw-dropper! [Tomer Daniel] and his crew of twelve hackers, welders, and coders built a Space Invaders game for GeekCon 2016.
[Tomer] et al spent more time on the project than the writeup, so you’re going to have to content yourselves with the video, embedded below, and a raft of photos that they sent us. ([Tomer] wrote in and wanted to thank each of you, and his sponsors, by name, but that would be a couple paragraphs on its own. Condider yourselves all thanked!)
[Tomer]’s company makes software for coordinating UAV fleets, so it’s not a coincidence that he would have eight DJI Phantom’s onhand and the ability drive them. The team put together RGB LED matrices, laser sensors, and outfitted each Invader with its own Arduino.
The welders built up a track and cart so that the player would slide back and forth over a twenty meter set of rails. The video shows off the gun in action. (The barrel effect is reminiscent of this hack by Seb Lee-Delisle] that we just covered.) Of course, the turret doesn’t let you just spam the laser, but turns it off after a short delay to force you to actually take aim.
After a hit is registered, the quadcopter turns its lights off and returns to the ground. How cool is that? Enjoy the video.
Now that you’re done reading this blogpost, go check out the rest of the projects at GeekCon. Some of them are nearly equally amazing.
Because, why the hell not!
Love it!
Have to wonder about pointing those into the sky, though. Not sure all airplane pilots want to play the role of the invaders. :P
yes, that was my first thought too.
Around here, pointing a green laser into the sky is a good way to get arrested.
Hopefully they considered this and if they’re not under a flight path then there shouldn’t be a problem. I’m not aware of a blanket ban on pointing shiny things upwards.
That blaster carriage looks like a ton of fun! This is an amazing group project.
For the invaders, my “needless complexity” muscle is twitching. This should have a grid of laser diodes on the ground that are being pulsed in a specific signal. This way the drones could pick up a signal to precisely and automatically orient themselves.
That’s an interesting idea. They did this one with GPS but I believe they weren’t 100% happy with the limitations involved (I was there, but working on another project).
This is awesome!! But why just stop Space Invaders?!? Centipede anyone???
Galaxian! If they can coordinate the drones.
Yeah and give the dive bombers tasers.
Fucking nice idea, would play some rounds this old game with this equipment.
GREAT
Real life Missile Command please ;)
This reminds me of that Adam Sadnerfler movie Puxels
Totally awesome!
Is that realtime or sped up because that chair looks superfast on those tracks.
It’s realtime. That chair absolutely flew (I was there but working on another project).
Um, who picked the soundtrack? I wanted the sounds from the game!
That’s a cool project, looks like a lot of people collaborated on it. Guess they forgot to assign a team for video and audio and were just like “ah f*** it”.
Glorious! I guess it’s time to move to a desert, since this isn’t going to, er, fly anywhere near an urban area (like D.C., where I am).
nice!!