3D Juggling data!

Here is a look at some juggling data that has been taken using the Wii infrared camera. The clips show the positions of the balls as a function of time in a 3D plot that is rotated so you get a better feel for it. Three different moves are represented, the standard cascade, the mills mess pattern, and the weave pattern. Videos available on my youtube channel.

Cascade:

Mills Mess:

The Weave:

This sort of data inspired me to film some juggling from above and stick it on youtube! Take a look:

funky data

Some data for you to look at.  It's interesting that the height of the balls as a function of time (top plot) is roughly sinusoidal, acceleration due to gravity produces a constant change in velocity and parabolic shape.  

Looking from the top (middle plot) it is much more like a triangular profile, owing to the constant velocity of the ball once it's left your hand.

The bottom plot is a funky 3D plot of the balls. 

Hello!

This blog will be a place where I put up photos, videos, graphs, data and information about the development of my personal project.

Tentatively titled 'Ben's Balls', the game uses wii hardware to track real juggling balls.  The data is then used by the computer, and the aim is to produce software that teaches 3-ball juggling and is based around a rhythm action type game mechanic (like Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution DDR).

So far, I have had great progress on the hardware aspect.  This consists of an infra-red illuminator and retroreflective juggling balls. The Wii camera in the Wii-mote tracks the positions of the reflected light from the balls.

Infrared (IR) illuminator surrounding the Wii-mote IR camera.

I am using VVVV, a high level programming environment, to code and take data.  Video of Wii-plugin!

Initially, I am excited about taking and analysing data captured using the hardware.

A 3D scatter plot of the position of one of the balls over time, captured using the Wii-mote setup.

Ball height as a function of time.  Still a bit buggy but I'm working on it!

I would also like to implement a neural network in order to detect when certain juggling moves have been performed.

I have not began the front end of the game, and if you are interested in joining the project please get in touch!  Wanted: artist/programmer/neural network expertise. Email bio998.spam.hotmail.com (replace .spam. with [at]). Unfortunately I can't give you any money because I don't have any myself.

Also get in touch if you have any funky ideas.