Raspberry Pi is surely one of the great solutions that computing has left us in the last decade. A platform that reduces to a minimum any hardware project that we have in hand and that Don't need the unleashed power of a computer last generation. What's more, thanks to its existence we have been able to enjoy that "Mini" revolution of the NES, Super Nintendo, Commodore 64, Neo Geo and the most recent Amiga 500.
A smart target?
Now, the uses of these Raspberry Pi can be much more than just an emulation system for old consoles and computers, and a good example is the one we bring you today since it has been on Reddit where we have been able to verify How does a certain Phil Harlow spend it? when it comes to looking for the most advanced way to play darts of a lifetime. Those who are religion in UK pubs.
These targets (let's call them analog) are not very precise and, with some exceptions, they do not keep track of the points of each player very accurately and, of course, it is almost impossible to ask them to change the game system to adapt it to other more complex modalities. Well, with this invention all those problems have ended because the prototype that it has developed is capable of behaving practically like a video game.
To begin with, because every time a dart hits it, the portion in which it has hit lights up and saves the score for the player who is currently in possession of the game turn. But also, the program that manages everything It is giving indications of what is the next turn and who should start shooting, the rules and practically any data that adds emotion to the game.
Everything, absolutely everything, is controlled by the Raspberry Pi, which not only keeps track of each game but also offers a touch interface for tablets (for example) that allows us to start games with different variants, which makes it easier for the same target to have new and increasingly imaginative forms of entertainment without the need to change the complete set. By adding new parts to the program that manages the whole, we can already enjoy any idea that the programmer has come up with.
A target with many lights (LED)
In the Reddit publication, its author confesses how he has been building it and that perfect finish can be explained: he bought a real target and, from it, he introduced all the improvements the system needed. Like the matrix of LED lights that is located in the back and that already came as standard, and to which he only had to connect an Arduino to control it. A second element is that is responsible for connecting to the Raspberry Pi and mark the rules of the game and give all the meaning to the whole. Specifically, what part of the target has been hit by the dart, which causes it to light up to show it to all players and, later, apply the rules written in the program that governs the Raspberry Pi.
looks finished though is in development phase so we will see if a completely viable and functional model is born from here soon that we can put in our mouths. At the moment things look very good and it wouldn't be a bad idea to have one of these smart targets in that bar that we frequent so much to throw some darts. No?