Discover optical sensing with this fun and engaging project. The Laser Tag add-on uses a clever refractive dome design to detect laser beams from any direction. You'll program the drone to take off when hit by a laser pointer - perfect for learning digital input handling and creating interactive drone games.
Build a drone that automatically takes off whenever it detects a laser beam shining on it.
The Laser Tag add-on uses an innovative refractive dome canopy that collects incoming laser beams from multiple directions and bends them toward a common focal point. A light sensor placed at this focal point detects the concentrated optical signal. This design provides wide-angle laser reception with high sensitivity, making it effective even when the laser hits from the side.
Connect the LaserTag to the RC port on the Primus V5/X2 board. Mount the Laser Tag module on top of the drone with the dome facing upward for maximum detection angle. Ensure the dome is clean and free of obstructions.
| Primus V5/X2 Pin | Peripheral |
|---|---|
PlutoBlocks code for this module is coming soon. Stay tuned for updates!
PlutoIDE C++ code for this module is coming soon. Stay tuned for updates!
Ready for the next challenge? Try these extensions to deepen your understanding.
| VCC on RC port |
| VCC on Laser tag |
| GND on RC port | GND on Laser tag |
| Signal on RC port | A0 on Laser tag |
Approach The laser tag sensor continuously monitors for laser light. When a laser beam hits the dome, the sensor output drops to LOW, which triggers the drone to take off. Code Logic Explained On Start: Blue LED turns ON briefly to indicate the program has started and the drone is waiting for a laser signal.Pluto Loop: The code continuously reads GPIO_1 (laser tag sensor on RC port). Under normal ambient conditions, the sensor outputs HIGH (1). When a laser beam falls on the refractive dome, the concentrated light is detected and the output drops to LOW (0). When this LOW state is detected, the drone initiates takeoff to 170cm and flies according to user RC commands. Yellow LED (Red + Green) indicates the developer mode loop is active.On Stop: Green LED turns ON to confirm program termination.
Interactive laser tag drone games Laser-guided drone activation Optical signal detection systems
Ready for the next challenge? Try these extensions to deepen your understanding. 1Add a buzzer module so the drone beeps when hit by a laser, simulating a "tag" response. Pluto Drone Add-On Projects — Compatible with Pluto 1.2 (Primus V5) & Pluto X (Primus X2) — Drona Aviation