This week our team continued to make steady and significant progress especially now that we have the physical table and foundation for our project. While there are a couple roadblocks in our physical setup, the software progress is on track, and we are still confident in meeting our desired MVP goals.
Luke focused on setting up the pool table mount for the camera and projector system. He encountered challenges with securely attaching the equipment while upholding safety standards. Initial mounting attempts either made the system unstable or darkened the playing area, impacting out CV system. Luke plans to refine the mount further to balance stability, visibility, and functionality, with the goal of having the camera and projector system fully operational by the end of next week.
Samuel made progress on the find_best_shot algorithm for the physics simulation. His current approach successfully identifies 9-ball shots that meet key criteria, such as hitting the lowest-numbered ball, avoiding scratches, potting balls, and positioning the cue ball strategically. However, the algorithm still relies on a brute-force approach. Samuel is exploring the use of Simulated Annealing to optimize the algorithm and reduce computation time to under four seconds, as required by our use-case. He remains on schedule and aims to complete the algorithm and display mapping in time for MVP testing.
Kevin supported Luke with the physical setup, providing input on camera/projector placement and lighting to minimize image quality issues. He also began implementing code to project predicted holes, pockets, and ball positions onto the physical table. Kevin is on track and will pivot his efforts toward smooth integration, including refining position coordinates and addressing potential image occlusions.
The team is confident in overcoming current challenges and delivering a functional and polished MVP in time for carnival.